This compound can be transaminated to form aspartate.
In animals, all amino acids except leucine and lysine are first converted to this compound before entering gluconeogenesis. In that pathway, this compound is an intermediate in the twoÂ­step transformation that is the reverse of the glycolytic pyruvate kinase reaction, and is the substrate for the enzyme PEP carboxykinase. This compound can be transaminated to form aspartate. To move this compound into the mitochondrion involves its alphaÂ­carbonyl undergoing a twoÂ­electron reduction by NADH to form malate, which is then shuttled through the malateÂ­aspartate shuttle and reoxidized. In its most important reaction, this compound's alphaÂ­carbonyl is attacked by an (*) acetylÂ­CoA thioenol; that reaction is catalyzed in the mitochondrial matrix by citrate synthase and is the first reaction in the Krebs cycle. For 10 points, name this fourÂ­carbon dicarboxylic acid that is the first "intermediate" in the Krebs cycle.
In animals, all amino acids except leucine and lysine are first converted to this compound before entering gluconeogenesis.
oxaloacetate [accept oxaloacetic acid or OAA]