View source for Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

{{Short description|Multienzyme complex}}
{{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc}}
[[File:153-PyruvateDehydrogenaseComplex pyruvatedehydrogenase.tif|thumb|right| Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex]]

'''Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex''' ('''PDC''') is a complex of three [[enzyme]]s that converts [[pyruvate]] into [[acetyl-CoA]] by a process called [[pyruvate decarboxylation]].<ref name=":0">{{Citation|last1=DeBrosse|first1=Suzanne D.|title=Chapter 12 - Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency|date=2016-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128008775000127|work=Mitochondrial Case Studies|pages=93–101|editor-last=Saneto|editor-first=Russell P.|place=Boston|publisher=Academic Press|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-800877-5.00012-7|isbn=978-0-12-800877-5|access-date=2020-11-16|last2=Kerr|first2=Douglas S.|editor2-last=Parikh|editor2-first=Sumit|editor3-last=Cohen|editor3-first=Bruce H.|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Acetyl-CoA may then be used in the [[citric acid cycle]] to carry out [[cellular respiration]], and this complex links the [[glycolysis]] [[metabolic pathway]] to the [[citric acid cycle]]. Pyruvate decarboxylation is also known as the "pyruvate dehydrogenase reaction" because it also involves the oxidation of pyruvate.<ref name=Berg>{{cite book|title=Biochemistry|author= J. M. Berg|author2= J. L. Tymoczko|author3=L. Stryer|publisher=Freeman|edition=6th|year=2007|isbn=978-0-7167-8724-2}}</ref>  The levels of pyruvate dehydrogenase enzymes play a major role in regulating the rate of [[carbohydrate metabolism]] and are strongly stimulated by the evolutionarily ancient hormone [[insulin]].  The PDC is opposed by the activity of [[pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase]], and this mechanism plays a pivotal role in regulating rates of carbohydrate and [[lipid metabolism]] in many physiological states across taxa, including feeding, starvation, [[diabetes mellitus]], [[hyperthyroidism]], and [[hibernation]].

The multienzyme complex is structurally and functionally related to the [[oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex]] (OGDC), the [[2-oxoadipate dehydrogenase complex]] (OADHC) and the [[Branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex|branched-chain oxo-acid dehydrogenase complex]] (BCKDC), all of which are members of the [[2-oxoacid dehydrogenase complex]] family.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mailloux |first=Ryan J. |date=June 2024 |title=The emerging importance of the α-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes in serving as intracellular and intercellular signaling platforms for the regulation of metabolism |journal=Redox Biology |language=en |volume=72 |article-number=103155 |doi=10.1016/j.redox.2024.103155 |pmid=38615490 |pmc=11021975 |doi-access=free}}</ref> A role for insulin in the regulation of glucose homeostasis, pyruvate dehydrogenase levels, and the generation of [[AMP-activated protein kinase]] (AMPK) in the [[electron transport chain]] has been evolutionarily conserved across species.  A shift in substrate utilization can be induced by conditions such as eating or fasting, and the oxidation of either glucose or fatty acids tends to suppress the use of the other substrate (a phenomenon known as the [[Randle cycle]]).  The intake of macronutrients stimulates the secretion and release of insulin and other chemical messengers such as [[glucagon-like peptide 1]] (GLP-1), which act to regulate glucose levels, [[insulin sensitivity]], satiety, and fat balance in the body.  In the postprandial period, insulin is produced by the [[pancreas]] and serves to activate carbohydrate metabolism and stimulate glucose disposal in order to meet metabolic demands and prevent [[glucotoxicity]].  When insulin is unable to efficiently stimulate glucose utilization, the body's tissues become resistant to its hypoglycemic effects, promoting the development of a state of [[insulin resistance]] over time.  This can happen because of chronic exposure to [[hyperinsulinemia]] due to poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and other potentially modifiable [[risk factor]]s.  The phenomenon is similar to [[leptin resistance]] and can potentially lead to many deleterious health effects stemming from chronically elevated insulin levels, such as excessive fat storage and [[de novo synthesis]], hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance, [[nonalcoholic fatty liver disease]]] (NAFLD), [[hypertension]] and [[dyslipidemia]], and decreased [[resting energy expenditure]] (REE) caused by impaired [[specific dynamic action|diet-induced thermogenesis]]. 

==Reaction==
The reaction catalysed by Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex is:
{{Enzymatic Reaction
|forward_enzyme=Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex
|reverse_enzyme=
|substrate=[[Pyruvate]]
|product=[[Acetyl CoA]]
|reaction_direction_(forward/reversible/reverse)=forward
|minor_forward_substrate(s)= [[Coenzyme A|CoA-SH]] '''+''' NAD<sup>+</sup>
|minor_forward_product(s)= CO<sub>2</sub> '''+''' NADH '''+''' H<sup>+</sup>
|minor_reverse_substrate(s)=
|minor_reverse_product(s)=
|substrate_image=pyruvate_wpmp.png
|product_image=acetyl_co-A_wpmp.svg{{!}}100px
}}

==Structure==

=== Pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1) ===
[[File:E1 Subunit Ecoli.png|thumb|Pymol-generated image of E1 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in E. Coli]]

The E1 subunit, called the [[pyruvate dehydrogenase]] subunit, is either a homodimer (comprising two "α" chains, e.g. in ''[[Escherichia coli]]'') or a heterotetramer of two different chains (two "α" and  two "β" chains). A magnesium ion forms a 4-coordinate complex with three, polar amino acid residues (Asp, Asn, and Tyr) located on the alpha chain, and the [[Thiamine pyrophosphate|thiamine diphosphate]] (TPP) cofactor directly involved in [[decarboxylation]] of the [[pyruvate]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sgrignani |first1=J. |last2=Chen |first2=J. |last3=Alimonti |first3=A. |title=How phosphorylation influences E1 subunit pyruvate dehydrogenase: A computational study |journal=Scientific Reports |date=2018 |volume=8 |issue=14683 |page=14683 |doi=10.1038/s41598-018-33048-z |pmid=30279533 |pmc=6168537 |bibcode=2018NatSR...814683S |s2cid=52910721 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>[PBD ID: 2QTC] {{cite journal |last1=Kale |first1=S. |last2=Arjunan |first2=P. |last3=Furey |first3=W. |last4=Jordan |first4=F. |title=A dynamic loop at the active center of the Escherichia coli pyruvate dehydrogenase COMPLEX E1 component Modulates SUBSTRATE utilization and CHEMICAL communication with the E2 component |journal=Journal of Biological Chemistry |date=2007 |volume=282 |issue=38 |pages=28106–28116 |doi=10.1074/jbc.m704326200|pmid=17635929 |s2cid=25199383 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

=== Dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2) ===
The E2 subunit, or dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase, for both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, is generally composed of three domains. The N-terminal domain (the lipoyl domain), consists of 1–3 lipoyl groups of approximately 80 amino acids each. The peripheral subunit binding domain (PSBD), serves as a selective binding site for other domains of the E1 and E3 subunits. Finally, the C-terminal (catalytic) domain catalyzes the transfer of acetyl groups and acetyl-CoA synthesis.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Patel |first1=M. S. |last2=Nemeria |first2=N. S. |last3=Furey |first3=W. |last4=Jordan |first4=F. |title=The pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes: structure-based function and regulation |journal=The Journal of Biological Chemistry |date=2014 |volume=289 |issue=24 |pages=16615–16623 |doi=10.1074/jbc.R114.563148 |pmid=24798336 |pmc=4059105 |doi-access=free }}</ref> In Gammaproteobacteria, 24 copies of E2 form the cubic core of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, in which 8 E2 homotrimers are located at the vertices of the cubic core particle. 

=== Dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E3) ===
[[File:E3 Subunit Putida.png|thumb|Pymol-generated E3 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in Pseudomonas putida]]

The E3 subunit, called the [[Dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase]] enzyme, is characterized as a [[homodimer]] protein wherein two [[cysteine]] residues, engaged in [[disulfide bonding]], and the FAD cofactor in the active site facilitate its main purpose as an oxidizing catalyst. One example of E3 structure, found in ''[[Pseudomonas putida]]'', is formed such that each individual homodimer subunit contains two binding domains responsible for FAD binding and NAD binding, as well as a central domain and an interface domain.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Billgren |first1=E. S. |last2=Cicchillo |first2=R. M. |last3=Nesbitt |first3=N. M. |last4=Booker |first4=S. J. |title=Lipoic Acid Biosynthesis and Enzymology |journal=Comprehensive Natural Products |date=2010 |volume=2 |issue=7 |pages=181–212 |doi=10.1016/B978-008045382-8.00137-4 }}</ref><ref>[PDB ID: 1LVL] {{cite journal |last1=Mattevia |first1=A. |last2=Obmolova |first2=G. |last3=Sokatch |first3=J. R. |last4=Betzel |first4=C. |last5=Hol |first5=W. G. |title=The refined crystal STRUCTURE of pseudomonas Putida LIPOAMIDE DEHYDROGENASE complexed with NAD+ at 2.45 Å resolution |journal=Proteins: Structure, Function, and Genetics |date=1992 |volume=13 |issue=4 |pages=336–351 |doi=10.1002/prot.340130406|pmid=1325638 |s2cid=23288363 }}</ref>

=== Dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase Binding protein (E3BP) ===
An auxiliary protein unique to most eukaryotes is the [[E3 binding protein]] (E3BP), which serves to bind the E3 subunit to the PDC complex. In the case of human E3BP, hydrophobic [[proline]] and [[leucine]] residues in the BP interact with the surface recognition site formed by the binding of two identical E3 monomers.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ciszak |first1=E. M. |last2=Makal |first2=A. |last3=Hong |first3=Y. S. |last4=Vettaikkorumakankauv |first4=A. K. |last5=Korotchkina |first5=L. G. |last6=Patel |first6=M. S. |title=How dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase-binding protein binds dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase in the human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex |journal=Journal of Biological Chemistry |date=2006 |volume=281 |issue=1 |pages=648–655 |doi=10.1074/jbc.m507850200|pmid=16263718 |s2cid=26797600 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Mechanism==
{{Citations needed|date=December 2023}}
{| class="wikitable"
! Enzymes !! Abbrev. !! [[cofactor (biochemistry)|Cofactor]]s !! # subunits prokaryotes !! # subunits eukaryotes
|- 
| [[Pyruvate dehydrogenase]]<br />({{EC number|1.2.4.1}}) || E1 || [[Thiamine diphosphate|TPP&nbsp;(thiamine&nbsp;pyrophosphate)]], Mg<sup>2+</sup>|| 32 || 30
|- 
| [[Dihydrolipoyl transacetylase]]<br />({{EC number|2.3.1.12}}) || E2 || alpha-[[lipoic acid]] (lipoate)<br /> || 24 || 60
|- 
| [[Dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase]]<br />({{EC number|1.8.1.4}}) || E3 || [[flavin adenine dinucleotide|FAD]]<br /> || 16 || 12
|}
[[File:PDH schema.png|thumb|upright=2|class=skin-invert-image|PDC Mechanism with pyruvate (R=H)]]

=== Pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1) ===
{{Main|Pyruvate dehydrogenase}}
Initially, [[pyruvate]] and [[thiamine|thiamine pyrophosphate]] (TPP or [[thiamine|vitamin B<sub>1</sub>]]) are bound by [[pyruvate dehydrogenase]] subunits.<ref name=":0" /> The [[thiazole|thiazolium]] ring of TPP is in a [[zwitterion]]ic form, and the [[anion]]ic C2 carbon performs a nucleophilic attack on the C2 (ketone) carbonyl of pyruvate. The resulting intermediate undergoes [[decarboxylation]] to produce an acyl anion equivalent (see [[cyanohydrin]] or aldehyde-dithiane [[umpolung]] chemistry, as well as [[benzoin condensation]]). This anion attacks S1 of an oxidized lipoate species that is attached to a [[lysine]] residue. In a ring-opening S<sub>N</sub>2-like mechanism, S2 is displaced as a sulfide or sulfhydryl moiety. Subsequent collapse of the tetrahedral intermediate ejects thiazole, releasing the TPP cofactor and generating a thioacetate on S1 of lipoate. The E1-catalyzed process is the rate-limiting step of the whole pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

=== Dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2) ===
At this point, the lipoate-thioester functionality is translocated into the [[Dihydrolipoyl transacetylase]] (E2) active site,<ref name=":0" /> where a transacylation reaction transfers the acetyl from the "swinging arm" of lipoyl to the thiol of [[coenzyme A]]. This produces [[acetyl-CoA]], which is released from the enzyme complex and subsequently enters the [[citric acid cycle]]. E2 can also be known as lipoamide reductase-transacetylase.

=== Dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E3) ===
The [[lipoic acid|dihydrolipoate]], covalently bound to a lysine residue of the complex, is then transferred to the Dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E3) active site,<ref name=":0" /> where it undergoes a [[Flavin group|flavin]]-mediated oxidation, similar in chemistry to e.g. thioredoxin reductase. First, [[flavin adenine dinucleotide|FAD]] oxidizes dihydrolipoate back to its lipoate (disulfide) resting state, producing FADH<sub>2</sub>. Then, the substrate [[nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide|NAD<sup>+</sup>]] oxidizes FADH<sub>2</sub> back to its FAD resting state, producing NADH and H<sup>+</sup>.

==Differences in structure and subunit composition between species==
In all organisms, PDC is a large complex composed of multiple copies of the three catalytic subunits E1, E2 and E3. Another common feature of all PDCs is the fact that the subunit E2 forms the core of the complex to which the peripheral subunits E1 and E3 bind. Eukaryotic PDCs contain an additional, non-catalytic subunit in the core termed E3 binding protein (E3BP) (sometimes also "protein X"). In PDCs with a hetero-oligomeric core with multiple copies of E2 and E3BP, E1 exclusively associates with E2, and E3 only binds to E3BP. In contrast, E1 and E3 compete for binding to E2 in bacterial PDCs with a homo-oligomeric E2 core. While the peripheral enzyme E3 is a homodimer in all organisms, the peripheral enzyme E1 is an alpha<sub>2</sub>beta<sub>2</sub> heterotetramer in eukaryotes.

===Gram-negative bacteria===
In [[Gram-negative]] bacteria, e.g. ''[[Escherichia coli]]'', PDC consists of a central cubic core made up of 24 molecules of [[dihydrolipoyl transacetylase]] (E2).
Up to 16 homodimers of [[pyruvate dehydrogenase]] (E1) and 8 homodimers  of [[dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase]] (E3) bind to the 24 peripheral subunit binding domains (PSBDs) of the E2 24-mer.

In [[Gammaproteobacteria]], the specificity of PSBD for binding either E1 or E3 is determined by the oligomeric state of PSBD. In each E2 homotrimer, two of the three PSBDs dimerize. While two E1 homodimers cooperatively bind dimeric PSBD, the remaining, unpaired PSBD specifically interacts with one E3 homodimer. PSBD dimerization thus determines the subunit composition of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex when fully saturated with the peripheral subunits E1 and E3, which has a stoichiometry of E1:E2:E3 (monomers) = 32:24:16 
<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Meinhold S, Zdanowicz R, Giese C, Glockshuber R |year=2024 |title=Dimerization of a 5-kDa domain defines the architecture of the 5-MDa gammaproteobacterial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex |journal=Sci. Adv. |volume=10 |issue=6 |bibcode=2024SciA...10J6358M |doi=10.1126/sciadv.adj6358 |pmc=10849603 |pmid=38324697 |doi-access=free |article-number=eadj6358}} [http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/96/4/1240]</ref> 

===Gram-positive bacteria and eukaryotes===
In contrast, in [[Gram-positive]] bacteria (e.g. ''[[Bacillus stearothermophilus]]'') and eukaryotes the central PDC core contains 60 E2 molecules arranged into an icosahedron. 

In Eukaryotes, this E2 core coordinates to 30 copies of E1 and 12 copies of E3. Eukaryotes also contain 12 copies of an additional core protein, [[E3 binding protein]] (E3BP) which bind the E3 subunits to the E2 core.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Brautigam |first1=C. A. |last2=Wynn |first2=R. M. |last3=Chuang |first3=J. L. |last4=Machius |first4=M. |last5=Tomchick |first5=D. R. |last6=Chuang |first6=D. T. |title=Structural insight into interactions between Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase (E3) and E3 binding protein of Human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex |journal=Structure |date=2006 |volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=611–621 |doi=10.1016/j.str.2006.01.001|pmid=16442803 |pmc=2879633 }}</ref>  The exact location of E3BP is not completely clear. Cryo-electron microscopy has established that E3BP binds to each of the icosahedral faces in yeast.<ref>Stoops, J.K., Cheng, R.H., Yazdi, M.A., Maeng, C.Y., Schroeter, J.P., Klueppelberg, U., Kolodziej, S.J., Baker, T.S., Reed, L.J. (1997) On the unique structural organization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. J. Biol. Chem. 272, 5757-5764.</ref> However, it has been suggested that it replaces an equivalent number of E2 molecules in the bovine PDC core.

Up to 60 E1 or E3 molecules can associate with the E2 core from Gram-positive bacteria - binding is mutually exclusive.

==Regulation==
Pyruvate dehydrogenase is inhibited when one or more of the three following ratios are increased: [[Adenosine triphosphate|ATP]]/[[Adenosine diphosphate|ADP]], [[NADH]]/NAD<sup>+</sup> and [[acetyl-CoA]]/[[Coenzyme A|CoA]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

In eukaryotes PDC is tightly regulated by its own specific [[Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase]] (PDK) and [[Pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase]] (PDP), deactivating and activating it respectively.<ref name=":1">{{Citation|last=Pelley|first=John W.|title=6 - Glycolysis and Pyruvate Oxidation|date=2012-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323074469000064|work=Elsevier's Integrated Review Biochemistry (Second Edition)|pages=49–55|editor-last=Pelley|editor-first=John W.|place=Philadelphia|publisher=W.B. Saunders|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-0-323-07446-9.00006-4|isbn=978-0-323-07446-9|access-date=2020-11-16|url-access=subscription}}</ref> 
* PDK [[Phosphorylation|phosphorylates]] three specific [[serine]] residues on E1 with different affinities. Phosphorylation of any one of them (using [[Adenosine triphosphate|ATP]]) renders E1 (and in consequence the entire complex) inactive.<ref name=":1" />
* [[Dephosphorylation]] of E1 by PDP reinstates complex activity.<ref name=":1" />

Products of the reaction act as [[Allosteric regulation|allosteric inhibitors]] of the PDC, because they activate PDK. Substrates in turn inhibit PDK, reactivating PDC.

During [[starvation]], PDK increases in amount in most tissues, including [[skeletal muscle]], via increased [[Transcription (biology)|gene transcription]]. Under the same conditions, the amount of PDP decreases. The resulting inhibition of PDC prevents muscle and other tissues from catabolizing glucose and [[gluconeogenesis]] precursors. Metabolism shifts toward [[Lipid metabolism|fat utilization]], while muscle protein breakdown to supply gluconeogenesis precursors is minimized, and available glucose is spared for use by the [[brain]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

[[Calcium]] ions have a role in regulation of PDC in muscle tissue, because it activates PDP, stimulating [[glycolysis]] on its release into the cytosol - during [[muscle contraction]]. Some products of these transcriptions release H2 into the muscles. This can cause calcium ions to decay over time.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

==Localization of pyruvate decarboxylation==
In [[eukaryote|eukaryotic]] cells the [[pyruvate decarboxylation]] occurs inside the mitochondrial matrix, after transport of the substrate, pyruvate, from the [[cytosol]]. The transport of pyruvate into the mitochondria is via the [[transport protein]] pyruvate translocase.  Pyruvate translocase transports pyruvate in a symport fashion with a proton (across the inner mitochondrial membrane), which may be considered to be a form of secondary active transport, but further confirmation/support may be needed for the usage of "secondary active transport" desciptor here (Note: the pyruvate transportation method via the pyruvate translocase appears to be coupled to a proton gradient according to S. Papa et al., 1971, seemingly matching secondary active transport in definition).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Papa |first1=S |title=The transport of pyruvate in rat liver mitochondria |journal=FEBS Lett. |date= 30 January 1971|volume=12 |issue=5 |pages=285–288 |doi=10.1016/0014-5793(71)80200-4 |pmid=11945601 |bibcode=1971FEBSL..12..285P |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Alternative sources say "transport of pyruvate across the outer mitochondrial membrane appears to be easily accomplished via large non-selective channels such as [[voltage-dependent anion channels]], which enable passive diffusion" and transport across inner mitochondrial membrane is mediated by mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 (MPC1) and [[mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 2]] (MPC2).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rutter |first1=Jared |title=The long and winding road to the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier |journal=Cancer & Metabolism |date= 23 January 2013|volume=1 |issue=1 |article-number=6 |doi=10.1186/2049-3002-1-6 |pmid=24280073|pmc=3834494 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Upon entry into the mitochondrial matrix, the pyruvate is decarboxylated, producing acetyl-CoA (and carbon dioxide and NADH). This irreversible reaction traps the [[acetyl-CoA]] within the mitochondria (the acetyl-CoA can only be transported out of the mitochondrial matrix under conditions of high oxaloacetate via the citrate shuttle, a TCA intermediate that is normally sparse). The carbon dioxide produced by this reaction is [[nonpolar]] and small, and can diffuse out of the mitochondria and out of the cell.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

In [[prokaryote]]s, which have no mitochondria, this reaction is either carried out in the cytosol, or not at all.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

==Evolutionary history==
It was found that pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme found in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells closely resembles an enzyme from ''[[Geobacillus stearothermophilus]]'', which is a species of [[gram-positive bacteria]]. Despite similarities of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex with gram-positive bacteria, there is little resemblance with those of [[gram-negative bacteria]].  Similarities of the quaternary structures between pyruvate dehydrogenase and enzymes in gram-positive bacteria point to a shared evolutionary history which is distinctive from the evolutionary history of corresponding enzymes found in gram-negative bacteria. Through an endosymbiotic event, pyruvate dehydrogenase found in the eukaryotic mitochondria points to ancestral linkages dating back to gram-positive bacteria.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Henderson|first1=Christopher E.|last2=Perham|first2=Richard N.|last3=Finch|first3=John T.|date=May 1979|title=Structure and symmetry of B. stearothermophilus pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex and implications for eucaryote evolution|journal=Cell|volume=17|issue=1|pages=85–93|doi=10.1016/0092-8674(79)90297-6|pmid=455461|s2cid=35282258|issn=0092-8674}}</ref> 

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes share many similarities with branched chain 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase (BCOADH), particularly in their substrate specificity for alpha-keto acids. Specifically, BCOADH catalyzes the degradation of amino acids and these enzymes would have been prevalent during the periods on prehistoric Earth dominated by rich amino acid environments. The E2 subunit from pyruvate dehydrogenase evolved from the E2 gene found in BCOADH while both enzymes contain identical E3 subunits due to the presence of only one E3 gene. Since the E1 subunits have a distinctive specificity for particular substrates, the E1 subunits of pyruvate dehydrogenase and BCOADH vary but share genetic similarities. The gram-positive bacteria and cyanobacteria that would later give rise to mitochondria and chloroplast found in eukaryotic cells retained the E1 subunits that are genetically related to those found in the BCOADH enzymes.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Schreiner|first1=Mark E.|last2=Fiur|first2=Diana|last3=Holátko|first3=Jiří|last4=Pátek|first4=Miroslav|last5=Eikmanns|first5=Bernhard J.|date=2005-09-01|title=E1 Enzyme of the Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex in Corynebacterium glutamicum: Molecular Analysis of the Gene and Phylogenetic Aspects|url= |journal=Journal of Bacteriology|volume=187|issue=17|pages=6005–6018|doi=10.1128/jb.187.17.6005-6018.2005|pmid=16109942|pmc=1196148|issn=0021-9193}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Schnarrenberger|first1=Claus|last2=Martin|first2=William|date=2002-02-01|title=Evolution of the enzymes of the citric acid cycle and the glyoxylate cycle of higher plants|journal=European Journal of Biochemistry|volume=269|issue=3|pages=868–883|doi=10.1046/j.0014-2956.2001.02722.x|pmid=11846788|issn=0014-2956|doi-access=free}}</ref>

==Clinical relevance==
[[Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency]] (PDCD) can result from mutations in any of the enzymes or cofactors used to build the complex. Its primary clinical finding is [[lactic acidosis]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency|url=https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/pyruvate-dehydrogenase-deficiency/|work=Genetics Home Reference|access-date=March 17, 2013}}</ref> Such PDCD mutations, leading to subsequent deficiencies in NAD and FAD production, hinder oxidative phosphorylation processes that are key in aerobic respiration. Thus, acetyl-CoA is instead reduced via anaerobic mechanisms into other molecules like lactate, leading to an excess of bodily lactate and associated neurological pathologies.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gupta |first1=N. |last2=Rutledge |first2=C. |title=Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency: An Unusual Cause of Recurrent Lactic Acidosis in a Paediatric Critical Care Unit |journal=The Journal of Critical Care Medicine |year=2019 |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=71–75 |doi=10.2478/jccm-2019-0012|pmid=31161145 |pmc=6534940 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

While pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency is rare, there are a variety of different genes when mutated or nonfunctional that can induce this deficiency. First, the E1 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase contains four different subunits: two alpha subunits designated as E1-alpha and two beta subunits designated as E1-beta. The PDHA1 gene found in the E1-alpha subunits, when mutated, causes 80% of the cases of pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency because this mutation abridges the E1-alpha protein. Decreased functional E1 alpha prevents pyruvate dehydrogenase from sufficiently binding to pyruvate, thus reducing the activity of the overall complex.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Lissens|first1=Willy|last2=De Meirleir|first2=Linda|last3=Seneca|first3=Sara|last4=Liebaers|first4=Inge|last5=Brown|first5=Garry K.|last6=Brown|first6=Ruth M.|last7=Ito|first7=Michinori|last8=Naito|first8=Etsuo|last9=Kuroda|first9=Yasuhiro|last10=Kerr|first10=Douglas S.|last11=Wexler|first11=Isaiah D.|date=March 2000|title=Mutations in the X-linked pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1) ? subunit gene (PDHA1) in patients with a pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency|journal=Human Mutation|volume=15|issue=3|pages=209–219|doi=10.1002/(sici)1098-1004(200003)15:3<209::aid-humu1>3.0.co;2-k|pmid=10679936 |s2cid=29926332 |issn=1059-7794|doi-access=free}}</ref> When the PDHB gene found in the E1 beta subunit of the complex is mutated, this also leads to pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Okajima|first1=K.|last2=Korotchkina|first2=L.G.|last3=Prasad|first3=C.|last4=Rupar|first4=T.|last5=Phillips III|first5=J.A.|last6=Ficicioglu|first6=C.|last7=Hertecant|first7=J.|last8=Patel|first8=M.S.|last9=Kerr|first9=D.S.|date=April 2008|title=Mutations of the E1β subunit gene (PDHB) in four families with pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency|journal=Molecular Genetics and Metabolism|volume=93|issue=4|pages=371–380|doi=10.1016/j.ymgme.2007.10.135|pmid=18164639|issn=1096-7192}}</ref> Likewise, mutations found on other subunits of the complex, like the DLAT gene found on the E2 subunit, the PDHX gene found on the E3 subunit, as well as a mutation on a pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase gene, known as PDP1, have all been traced back to pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency, while their specific contribution to the disease state is unknown.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Head|first1=Rosemary A.|last2=Brown|first2=Ruth M.|last3=Zolkipli|first3=Zarazuela|last4=Shahdadpuri|first4=Raveen|last5=King|first5=Mary D.|last6=Clayton|first6=Peter T.|last7=Brown|first7=Garry K.|date=2005-07-27|title=Clinical and genetic spectrum of pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency: Dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase (E2) deficiency|journal=Annals of Neurology|volume=58|issue=2|pages=234–241|doi=10.1002/ana.20550|pmid=16049940|s2cid=38264402|issn=0364-5134}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pavlu-Pereira |first1=Hana |last2=Silva |first2=Maria João |last3=Florindo |first3=Cristina |last4=Sequeira |first4=Sílvia |last5=Ferreira |first5=Ana Cristina |last6=Duarte |first6=Sofia |last7=Rodrigues |first7=Ana Luísa |last8=Janeiro |first8=Patrícia |last9=Oliveira |first9=Anabela |last10=Gomes |first10=Daniel |last11=Bandeira |first11=Anabela |last12=Martins |first12=Esmeralda |last13=Gomes |first13=Roseli |last14=Soares |first14=Sérgia |last15=Tavares de Almeida |first15=Isabel |last16=Vicente |first16=João B. |last17=Rivera |first17=Isabel |title=Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency: updating the clinical, metabolic and mutational landscapes in a cohort of Portuguese patients |journal=Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases |date=December 2020 |volume=15 |issue=1 |page=298 |doi=10.1186/s13023-020-01586-3 |pmid=33092611 |pmc=7579914 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Heo|first1=Hye Jin|last2=Kim|first2=Hyoung Kyu|last3=Youm|first3=Jae Boum|last4=Cho|first4=Sung Woo|last5=Song|first5=In-Sung|last6=Lee|first6=Sun Young|last7=Ko|first7=Tae Hee|last8=Kim|first8=Nari|last9=Ko|first9=Kyung Soo|last10=Rhee|first10=Byoung Doo|last11=Han|first11=Jin|date=August 2016|title=Mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase 1 regulates the early differentiation of cardiomyocytes from mouse embryonic stem cells|url= |journal=Experimental & Molecular Medicine|volume=48|issue=8|pages=e254|doi=10.1038/emm.2016.70|pmid=27538372|pmc=5007642|issn=2092-6413}}</ref>

In the metabolic disease [[combined malonic and methylmalonic aciduria]] (CMAMMA) due to [[ACSF3]] deficiency, [[mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis]] (mtFAS) is impaired, which is the precursor reaction of [[lipoic acid]] biosynthesis.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Wehbe |first1=Zeinab |last2=Behringer |first2=Sidney |last3=Alatibi |first3=Khaled |last4=Watkins |first4=David |last5=Rosenblatt |first5=David |last6=Spiekerkoetter |first6=Ute |last7=Tucci |first7=Sara |date=November 2019 |title=The emerging role of the mitochondrial fatty-acid synthase (mtFASII) in the regulation of energy metabolism |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1388198119301349 |journal=Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids |language=en |volume=1864 |issue=11 |pages=1629–1643 |doi=10.1016/j.bbalip.2019.07.012 |pmid=31376476 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The result is a reduced [[lipoylation]] degree of important mitochondrial enzymes, such as pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) and [[oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex]] (OGDC).<ref name=":2" />

==See also==
* [[Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* https://web.archive.org/web/20070405211049/http://www.dentistry.leeds.ac.uk/biochem/MBWeb/mb1/part2/krebs.htm#animat1 - animation of the general mechanism of the PDC (link on upper right) at [[University of Leeds]]
* {{MeshName|Pyruvate+Dehydrogenase+Complex}}

===3D structures===
* {{Cite journal | first1 = H. | first2 = B.
| last2 = McCarthy
| last3 = O'Connor| first3 = M. | first4 = J.
| last4 = Reed | first5 = K.
| title = The remarkable structural and functional organization of the eukaryotic pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes
| journal = Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
| volume = 98
| last5 = Stoops
| issue = 26
| pages = 14802–14807
| date=Dec 2001 | issn = 0027-8424
| pmid = 11752427
| pmc = 64939
| last1 = Zhou
| doi = 10.1073/pnas.011597698
|bibcode = 2001PNAS...9814802Z | doi-access = free
}}, [[cow|bovine]] [[kidney]] pyruvate dehydrogenase complex
* {{Cite journal| last2 = Hiromasa | first1 = X.| last4 = Stoops| last3 = Tsen| last5 = Roche| first2 = Y. | first3 = H.| last6 = Zhou | first4 = K. | first5 = E. | first6 = H.| title = Structures of the Human Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Cores: A Highly Conserved Catalytic Center with Flexible N-Terminal Domains| journal = Structure| volume = 16| issue = 1| pages = 104–114| date=Jan 2008 | issn = 0969-2126| pmid = 18184588| last1 = Yu| doi = 10.1016/j.str.2007.10.024| pmc = 4807695}}, human full-length and truncated E2 (tE2) cores of PDC, expressed in ''[[E. coli]]''

{{Multienzyme complexes}}
{{Mitochondrial enzymes}}
{{Citric acid cycle enzymes}}
{{Glycolysis}}
{{Enzymes}}
{{Portal bar|Biology|border=no}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex}}
[[Category:EC 1.2.1]]
[[Category:Cellular respiration]]
[[Category:Glycolysis]]