Discussion:
TCA Cycle Function and Reactions
In the mammalian CNS there is a pyridoxal phosphate dependent glutamate decarboxylase that catalyzes the conversion of glutamate to gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA). This is an important inhibitory neurotransmitter.
GABA is subsequently degraded through transamination to succinic semialdehyde, with alpha-ketoglutarate as the NH3+ acceptor.
The succinic semialdehyde can then be oxidized to succinate, by succinate dehydrogenase.
a. Show how these reactions can operate as a shunt pathway that allows the TCA cycle to function without alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and succinate thiokinase.
b. Is the shunt more or less efficient than the TCA cycle in terms of energy recovery?
Attachment:- Problem.rar