Pyruvate carboxylase

Pyruvate carboxylase is an enzyme in our cells that plays a crucial role in energy and metabolism. It helps convert a molecule called pyruvate, derived from food, into another molecule called oxaloacetate. This process is essential when the body needs to produce glucose (sugar) from non-carbohydrate sources, such as during fasting or intense exercise. By doing so, pyruvate carboxylase supports energy production and maintains blood sugar levels. It functions primarily in the mitochondria, the cell's energy factories, and requires a cofactor called biotin to carry out its reaction efficiently.