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HomeMetabolismPyruvate
MoleculeMETABOLITE RECORD

Pyruvate

The three-carbon end product of glycolysis. It can be oxidized in mitochondria or reduced to lactate.

3-carbon moleculeGlycolysisHomo sapiens
REFERENCE IDENTIFIERCHEBI:15361ChEBI record
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Learn about Pyruvate

Pyruvate is a small molecule cells make when they split . It can feed other pathways or be changed into lactate.

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Record type: molecule. The three-carbon end product of glycolysis. It can be oxidized in mitochondria or reduced to lactate.
QUICK FACTS

At a glance

Carbon backbone 3 CThis carbon count is shown where it is defined for the molecule.

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Connected records

6 links
Produced inGlycolysisUsed inGluconeogenesisUsed inPyruvate oxidationHandled byPyruvate kinaseHandled byPyruvate carboxylaseHandled byPyruvate dehydrogenase complex
STRUCTURED REACTIONS

Where it appears

Open metabolism map
10

Second ATP-generating step

PEP gives its phosphate to ADP, forming ATP and pyruvate. This second ATP-making step is where glycolysis turns a net profit.

Glycolysis · irreversible
1

Carboxylation of pyruvate

Pyruvate gains a carbon dioxide equivalent to form oxaloacetate, using ATP and biotin.

Gluconeogenesis · irreversible
1

Pyruvate dehydrogenase reaction

The multienzyme complex oxidizes pyruvate, releases CO2, and forms acetyl-CoA and NADH.

Pyruvate oxidation · irreversible