The enzyme has been used in a primary enzyme assay to test the ability of certain compounds to reduce PDK- (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase) catalyzed PDC (pyruvate dehydrogenase complex) inactivation.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Pyruvate dehydrogenase is involved in the decarboxylation of pyruvate and reductive acetylation of lipoic acid within the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) inactivates pyruvate dehydrogenase while pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase activates pyruvate dehydrogenase.