EC number 1.2.7.1 ExPASy NiceZyme view | CAS number 9082-51-3 | |
In enzymology, a pyruvate synthase (EC 1.2.7.1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion of pyruvate and acetyl-CoA. It is also called pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR).
Contents
The relevant equilibrium catalysed by PFOR is:
pyruvate + CoA + oxidized ferredoxinThe 3 substrates of this enzyme are pyruvate, CoA, and oxidized ferredoxin, whereas its 4 products are acetyl-CoA, CO2, reduced ferredoxin, and H+.
Function
This enzyme participates in 4 metabolic pathways: pyruvate metabolism, propanoate metabolism, butanoate metabolism, and reductive carboxylate cycle (CO2 fixation).
Its major role is the extraction of reducing equivalents by the decarboxylation. In aerobic organisms, this conversion is catalysed by pyruvate dehydrogenase, also uses thiamine pyrophosphate but relies on lipoate as the electron acceptor. Unlike the aerobic enzyme complex PFOR transfers reducing equivalents to flavins or iron-sulflur clusters. This process links glycolysis to the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway.
Nomenclature
This enzyme belongs to the family of oxidoreductases, specifically those acting on the aldehyde or oxo group of donor with an iron-sulfur protein as acceptor. The systematic name of this enzyme class is pyruvate:ferredoxin 2-oxidoreductase (CoA-acetylating). Other names in common use include: