oksaloaseta

Oksaloaseta is a four-carbon dicarboxylic acid that plays a crucial role in cellular metabolism. Its chemical formula is C4H4O5. Oksaloaseta is a key intermediate in several metabolic pathways, most notably the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle or TCA cycle). In this cycle, it is formed by the condensation of acetyl-CoA with oxaloacetate itself, effectively regenerating the starting molecule.

Beyond its role in the citric acid cycle, oksaloaseta is also involved in gluconeogenesis, the process of synthesizing glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors. In this pathway, it is converted to phosphoenolpyruvate. Oksaloaseta also participates in the urea cycle, a pathway that detoxifies ammonia, and in amino acid metabolism, serving as a precursor for the synthesis of certain amino acids like aspartate.

The interconversion of oksaloaseta and other metabolites is tightly regulated to meet the cell's energy and biosynthetic needs. Enzymes such as citrate synthase and malate dehydrogenase are critical for its formation and utilization in various metabolic processes. Its presence and concentration are important indicators of cellular metabolic status.