Which vitamin cofactor is essential for the function of pyruvate dehydrogenase?

Pyruvate dehydrogenase is a key enzyme in cellular metabolism that facilitates the conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA, a critical step linking glycolysis to the Krebs cycle. This enzymatic reaction is essential for energy production and metabolic processes. The function of pyruvate dehydrogenase relies on several cofactors, one of which is thiamin, commonly known as vitamin B1.

Thiamin plays a critical role in this enzymatic activity by being a component of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), the active form of the vitamin. TPP acts as a coenzyme that helps in the decarboxylation of pyruvate, allowing the removal of a carbon dioxide molecule and the subsequent formation of acetyl-CoA. Without sufficient levels of thiamin, the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase is significantly impaired, which can lead to metabolic dysfunction and buildup of pyruvate.

In contrast, while the other vitamins listed—vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), and folate—are important for various other biochemical processes in the body, they do not serve as cofactors for pyruvate dehydrogenase