Link reaction

The Link reaction, also known as pyruvate decarboxylation forms an important link between the metabolic pathways of glycolysis and the citric acid or Krebs cycle.

In eukaryotes, the reaction takes place only inside the mitochondrial matrix; in prokaryotes similar reactions take place in the cytoplasm and at the plasma membrane.^[1]

To summarize:

1. Pyruvate is decarboxylated: CO₂ is removed.
2. It is added to CoA to form Acetyl CoA

Acetyl CoA is then ready for use in the Krebs Cycle.

The Link reaction is important as acetyl-CoA is needed for the Krebs cycle to happen.

Related pages

• Respiration
• Cellular respiration (overview)
• Glycolysis
• Krebs cycle (Citric acid cycle)