Anaplerotic reactions

Anaplerotic reactions are those that form intermediates of the TCA or citric acid cycle. The malate is created by PEP carboxylase and malate dehydrogenase in the cytosol. Malate, in the mitochondrial matrix, can be used to make pyruvate (catalyzed by NAD+ malic enzyme) or oxaloacetic acid, both of which can enter the citric acid cycle. As this is a cycle, formation of any of the intermediates can be used to 'top up' the whole cycle. Anaplerotic is of Greek origin, meaning "to fill up".

pyruvate carboxylase deficiency is an inherited metabolic disorder where anaplerosis is greatly reduced. Other anaplerortic substrates such as the odd-carbon containing triglyceride Triheptanoin is used to treat this disorder.

There are 4 reactions classed as anaplerotic, yet the production of oxaloacetate from pyruvate has probably the most physiologic importance.

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