During which reaction does alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase convert alpha-ketoglutarate?

The reaction catalyzed by alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase involves the conversion of alpha-ketoglutarate into succinyl-CoA, which is a crucial step in the citric acid cycle. During this reaction, alpha-ketoglutarate undergoes oxidative decarboxylation, meaning it loses a carbon dioxide molecule and is transformed into succinyl-CoA.

As part of this process, one of the key features is the reduction of NAD+ to NADH. This is significant because it contributes to the overall energy yield in cellular respiration, as NADH will later enter the electron transport chain to ultimately generate ATP. Therefore, the reaction achieves two important outcomes: it removes a carbon atom from the molecule and creates a reduced form of NAD, highlighting the importance of the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase reaction in both carbon metabolism and energy production.