Alphaketoglutaric

Alphaketoglutaric, also known as 2-oxo-glutaric acid, is a chemical compound. It is a carboxylic acid, a distillate of pyroglutaminic acid. The compound is produced as a intermediate in the metabolism of glutamine, isoleucine, and valine. It is also a metabolite of the urea cycle.

Alphaketoglutaric is key in the processes of cellular respiration. Specifically, it serves as a precursor to the production of citrulline in the urea cycle, and is converted into glutamin in the reverse reaction. Additionally, it is a substrate for the dehydrogenase complex in the Krebs cycle, contributing to the conversion of alpha-ketoglutarate to succinyl-CoA, thereby contributing to the production of energy for the cell.

Alpha-ketoglutaric acid plays a crucial role in the development of cancer. Elevated levels of alpha-ketoglutarate have been linked to various types of cancer, such as erythroleukemia. As an intermediate of the Krebs cycle, altered production of alpha-ketoglutaric acid may affect energy supply, protein turnover and ROS (reactive oxygen species) formation in the cell, linking the compound to the disease process.

Research has shown that the compound is negatively charged, making it less mobile in the bloodstream. The electrical properties play a role in the interaction with other compounds that it encounters as part of the metabolic process.

The compound is primarily used as a chemical reagent and has been considered for use in the development of targeted therapies, particularly in the treatment of cancer tissues that utilize glutamine as a primary energy source. Further study is necessary to determine potential applications for its use.