Isocitric acid

Isocitric acid

Isocitric acid, whose term in the official IUPAC nomenclature is: 1R-hydroxy-1R,2S,3-propanericarboxylic acid, is a carboxylic acid with the brute or molecular formula: C6H8O7.
Isocitric acid is a chemical compound that is part of the Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This cycle is a series of biochemical reactions that occur within the cells of aerobic organisms (organisms that require oxygen) and play a crucial role in energy production.
Isocitric acid is an important intermediate stage in the Krebs cycle, and its main function is to convert into another compound known as α-ketoglutarate. This reaction occurs through the action of a specific enzyme called isocitrate dehydrogenase.
To better understand how isocitric acid is involved in the Krebs cycle, here is a brief description of the cycle itself:
1. The cycle begins with citric acid (six-carbon tricarboxylic acid), which reacts with water to form cis-aconitic acid (five-carbon tricarboxylic acid).
2. Cis-aconitic acid undergoes a hydration reaction to form isocitric acid (six-carbon tricarboxylic acid).
3. Isocitric acid is then oxidized to α-ketoglutarate, reducing a NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) to NADH + H+. This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase.
4. Subsequently, α-ketoglutarate undergoes further reactions in the Krebs cycle to produce succinyl-CoA, which is a crucial step in generating energy and releasing CO2.
5. The cycle continues with the formation of succinate, fumarate, malate and finally returns to citric acid to start a new round.
In summary, isocitric acid is involved in the conversion of citric acid to α-ketoglutarate within the Krebs cycle. This cycle is of fundamental importance for the energy metabolism of cells, as it generates a large amount of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), used to support many cellular processes.
Since this is a compound that is part of the internal cellular processes of cells, it has no specific localization in the human body or in organisms in general. The Krebs cycle occurs in the mitochondrial compartment of eukaryotic cells, so isocitric acid can be found within the mitochondria.
Isocitric acid is used as a marker to judge the genuineness of fruit juices. In orange juice, for example, the citric acid/D-isocitric acid ratio is usually less than 130, a higher value is generally indicative of adulteration. The conjugate base isocitrate is a substrate of the citric acid cycle. Furthermore, isocitric acid has been widely used as a biochemical agent due to the limited quantities available.

Warning: The information provided is not medical advice and may not be accurate. The contents are for illustrative purposes only and do not replace medical advice.