The Multifaceted Pyruvate Metabolism: Role of the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier

Biomolecules. 2020 Jul 17;10(7):1068. doi: 10.3390/biom10071068.

Abstract

Pyruvate, the end product of glycolysis, plays a major role in cell metabolism. Produced in the cytosol, it is oxidized in the mitochondria where it fuels the citric acid cycle and boosts oxidative phosphorylation. Its sole entry point into mitochondria is through the recently identified mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC). In this review, we report the latest findings on the physiology of the MPC and we discuss how a dysfunctional MPC can lead to diverse pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer.

Keywords: cancer; metabolic disorders; metabolism; mitochondria; mitochondrial pyruvate carrier; neurodegeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Diseases / genetics
  • Metabolic Diseases / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters / genetics
  • Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / genetics
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Pyruvic Acid / metabolism*

Substances

  • MPC1 protein, human
  • MPC2 protein, human
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters
  • Pyruvic Acid