fosfoglicerate

Fosfoglicerate refers to a molecule that contains both a phosphate group and a carboxyl group attached to a glycerol backbone. More specifically, it is an intermediate compound found in several important metabolic pathways, most notably glycolysis. There are two primary forms of fosfoglicerate: 2-phosphoglycerate and 3-phosphoglycerate. These isomers differ in the position of the phosphate group on the glycerol molecule.

In glycolysis, the process of breaking down glucose for energy, 3-phosphoglycerate is formed from 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate. This conversion is catalyzed by the enzyme phosphoglycerate kinase, which also generates ATP, a key energy currency of the cell. Subsequently, 3-phosphoglycerate is isomerized to 2-phosphoglycerate by phosphoglycerate mutase, preparing it for the final steps of glycolysis.

Beyond glycolysis, fosfoglicerate also plays a role in gluconeogenesis, the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors, where the reactions are essentially reversed. It is also involved in the Calvin cycle in plants, which is part of photosynthesis. The interconversion between these isomers and their involvement in energy production and synthesis highlights their central importance in cellular metabolism.