Map · Energy metabolism · TCA cycle

The TCA (Krebs) cycle 8 enzymes · acetyl-CoA → 2 CO₂ · 3 NADH · 1 FADH₂ · 1 GTP

Mitochondrial matrix. Irreversible gate is citrate synthase. NADH and FADH2 feed the electron transport chain. Complex II is the same page as TCA step 6 (SDH).

The TCA (Krebs / Citric Acid) Cycle — 8 enzymes, all available

ACETYL-CoA
ⓐ
TCA 1

Citrate synthase (CS)

Acetyl-CoA + OAA → Citrate + CoA-SH

Irreversible gate of the cycle. Asp375 enolizes acetyl-CoA; Claisen condensation onto OAA, then thioester hydrolysis. Inhibited by ATP / NADH.

EC 2.3.3.1 · PDB 5CTS

▶ OPEN SIMULATOR
→
CITRATE
TCA 2

Aconitase (ACO)

Citrate ⇌ Isocitrate (via cis-aconitate)

[4Fe-4S] cluster coordinates the substrate. Ser642 base / His101 acid: dehydration to cis-aconitate then stereo-specific rehydration → isocitrate.

EC 4.2.1.3 · PDB 1ACO

▶ OPEN SIMULATOR
→
ISOCITRATE
TCA 3

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (NAD⁺ IDH3)

Isocitrate + NAD⁺ → α-KG + CO₂ + NADH

First oxidative decarboxylation. Hydride to NAD⁺ → oxalosuccinate, then metal-assisted decarboxylation to α-KG + CO₂.

EC 1.1.1.41 · PDB 6KDY

▶ OPEN SIMULATOR
→
α-KG + CO₂
TCA 4

α-Ketoglutarate DH complex (OGDH)

α-KG + CoA + NAD⁺ → Succinyl-CoA + CO₂ + NADH

PDH-like E1/E2/E3 machine. TPP decarboxylates α-KG; the lipoyl swinging arm carries the succinyl group; E3 makes NADH. Second CO₂ + NADH.

EC 1.2.4.2 · 2.3.1.61 · 1.8.1.4 · PDB 8I0K

▶ OPEN SIMULATOR
→
SUCCINYL-CoA
TCA 5

Succinyl-CoA synthetase (SCS)

Succinyl-CoA + GDP + Pi → Succinate + GTP + CoA-SH

Substrate-level phosphorylation. Catalytic His299 cycles His ⇄ phospho-His; thioester energy drives GTP synthesis from GDP + Pi.

EC 6.2.1.4 · PDB 2FP4

▶ OPEN SIMULATOR
→
SUCCINATE
TCA 6

Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH · Complex II)

Succinate + FAD → Fumarate + FADH₂

Membrane-bound, FAD-linked. His365 abstracts a proton; hydride to N5. FADH₂ feeds electrons via Fe-S clusters to ubiquinone (ETC).

EC 1.3.5.1 · PDB 1ZOY

▶ OPEN SIMULATOR
→
FUMARATE
TCA 7

Fumarase (fumarate hydratase · FH)

Fumarate + H₂O → L-Malate

Stereospecific anti-addition of water. RTHTQ loop: His235 is the water-activating residue (M-CSA 569). Fully reversible lyase.

EC 4.2.1.2 · PDB 5UPP

▶ OPEN SIMULATOR
→
L-MALATE
TCA 8

Malate dehydrogenase (MDH2)

L-Malate + NAD⁺ → OAA + NADH + H⁺

Cycle-closing oxidation. His182 ★ abstracts the 2-OH proton; hydride from malate C2 to nicotinamide C4. The OAA regenerated starts the next turn.

EC 1.1.1.37 · PDB 2DFD

▶ OPEN SIMULATOR
ⓐ
OAA → CYCLES BACK
⤷ Per acetyl-CoA turn: 2 CO₂ · 3 NADH · 1 FADH₂ · 1 GTP → ≈10 ATP equivalent via the ETC. NADH/FADH₂ feed oxidative phosphorylation → Electron Transport Chain.