isocitraattiin

Isocitrate is a four-carbon organic acid that plays a crucial role in the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle or TCA cycle. This cycle is a central metabolic pathway found in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells and in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells. Isocitrate is produced from citrate through the action of the enzyme aconitase, which converts citrate to isocitrate by removing a water molecule. The conversion of isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate is another key step in the citric acid cycle, facilitated by the enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase. This reaction is irreversible and generates one molecule of carbon dioxide, one molecule of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), and one molecule of oxidized flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). Isocitrate is also a precursor to the synthesis of glutamate, which is essential for the production of proteins. In summary, isocitrate is a vital intermediate in the citric acid cycle, contributing to energy production and various biosynthetic processes.