foszfoenolpiruvátot

Foszfoenolpiruvát, often abbreviated as PEP, is a crucial organic compound in biochemistry. Its chemical formula is C3H5O6P. PEP is an ester of pyruvic acid and phosphoric acid. It is a high-energy molecule, meaning it contains a significant amount of chemical energy stored in its phosphate bond. This high energy content is particularly important in its biological roles.

The primary and most well-known function of foszfoenolpiruvát is its role in glycolysis, the metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose to produce energy. In the penultimate step of glycolysis, PEP is dephosphorylated by the enzyme pyruvate kinase, transferring its phosphate group to ADP to form ATP, the main energy currency of the cell. This reaction is a major regulatory point in glycolysis and is highly exergonic, driving the overall process forward.

Beyond glycolysis, foszfoenolpiruvát is also an intermediate in the Calvin cycle of photosynthesis, where it is used to synthesize carbohydrates. In plants and some bacteria, PEP carboxylase is an enzyme that fixes carbon dioxide by adding it to PEP, forming oxaloacetate. This process is essential for carbon assimilation and is a key component of C4 and CAM photosynthesis. Furthermore, PEP is involved in the biosynthesis of various amino acids and other important biomolecules.