Title: The Citric Acid Cycle
 1The Citric Acid Cycle (The Krebs Cycle) (The 
Tri-Carboxylic Acid Cycle
The Citric Acid Cycle is a means of oxidizing 
Acetyl-CoA 
 2Overview. Connections Among the Glycolytic, 
Citric Acid Cycle, and Oxidative Phosphorylation 
Events
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 3Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Generates Acetyl-CoA (The 
Input to the Citric Acid Cycle)
Production of carbon dioxide before entry into 
Citric Acid Cycle.
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 4The Conversion of Pyruvate to Acetyl-CoA Involves 
Multiple Coupled Redox Reactions
Figure VV, 3rd Edition. 
 5Acetyl  Coenzyme A (Acetyl-CoA) 
 62 C
6 C
4 C
4 C
6 C
6 C (lose CO2)
4 C
5 C (lose CO2)
4 C
4 C
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 7oxaloacetic acid
citric acid
isocitric acid
a-ketoglutaric acid
Citric Acid Cycle Metabolites
succinic acid
fumaric acid
malic acid
succinyl-CoA 
 8Citrate Synthase Generates Citrate from 
Acetyl-CoA and Oxaloacetate
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 9Mechanism of Citrate Synthase I
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 10Mechanism of Citrate Synthase II
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 11Mechanism of Citrate Synthase III
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 12The Interconversion of Citrate and Isocitrate by 
Aconitase
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 13Detail of the Aconitase Active Site Aconitase 
Distinguishes Between pro-R and pro-S Arms of 
Citrate 
 14Oxidation and Decarboxylation of Isocitrate 
Through Isocitrate Dehydrogenase
First production of NADH in the Citric Acid 
Cycle First production of carbon dioxide in the 
Citric Acid Cycle
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 15Dehydrogenation
First production of NADH in the Citric Acid Cycle
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 16Decarboxylation
First loss of carbon dioxide in the Citric Acid 
Cycle
Enolate intermediate
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 17Keto-Enol Tautomerization Protonation
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 18Oxidation of a-Ketoglutarate to Succinyl-CoA
5 C
4 C
a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase
NAD, CoA
Second production of NADH in the Citric Acid 
Cycle Second production of carbon dioxide in the 
Citric Acid Cycle Reaction entirely analogous to 
pyruvate dehydrogenase a-keto acid dehydrogenase 
family pyruvate dehydrogenase a-ketoglutarate 
dehydrogenase branched-chain a-keto acid 
dehydrogenase 
 19Succinyl-CoA Synthetase Generates GTP Converts 
Succinyl-CoA to Succinate (Named for the Reverse 
Reaction)
succinyl-CoA synthetase
 GTP
PO42- , GDP
First (only) generation of GTP (ATP) in the 
Citric Acid Cycle Substrate-level phosphorylation 
 i.e. production of GTP (ATP) in the same manner 
as in glycolysis. 
 20Succinyl-CoA Synthetase Mechanism I
Due to the high lability of the CoA-succinate 
ester, a phosphate ion is readily transferred to 
succinate. CoA is released, and a 
succinyl-phosphate intermediate occurs.
Figure VV, 3rd Edition 
 21Succinyl-CoA Synthetase Mechanism II
Observation Incubation of 14C-ADP and ATP in 
the presence of Succinyl-CoA synthetase 
yields 14C-ATP. Evidence for a phospho-enzyme 
intermediate.
Adenosine  PO4-  PO42-  Adenosine  PO4-  
PO4-  PO42- 
Adenosine  PO4-  PO4-  PO42-  Adenosine  
PO4-  PO42- 
 22Succinyl-CoA Synthetase Mechanism III
Figure VV, 3rd Edition 
 23Succinyl-CoA Synthetase Mechanism IV
Figure VV, 3rd Edition 
 24Succinate Dehydrogenase Generates FADH2
succinate dehydrogenase
Rule of Thumb NAD Oxidation of alcohols to 
aldehydes, ketones oxidative decarboxylations (hi
gh chemical potential, larger negative DG on 
reduction) FAD Oxidation of alkanes to 
alkenes (lower chemical potential, smaller 
negative DG on reduction)
FAD covalently linked to the enzyme  not a 
traditional cofactor not released on 
reduction Enzyme is also part of Oxidative 
Phosphorylation Machinery (Complex II) 
 25The Covalently Attached FAD Cofactor in Succinate 
Dehydrogenase
Figure VV, 3rd Edition 
 26Oxidized and Reduced Forms of Flavin Adenine 
Dinucleotide, FAD(H2)
Oxidized
Reduced 
 27Fumarase Converts Fumarate into Malate
fumarase
Reaction is a (stereospecific) addition of water 
across a carbon  carbon double bond. A 
carbanion intermediate occurs -OH adds before H. 
 28Malate Dehydrogenase Generates the 3rd NADH of 
the Citric Acid Cycle and Regenerates the 
Oxaloacetate Substrate for Citrate Synthase
 NADH 
 29Standard and Physiological Free Energy Changes in 
the Citric Acid Cycle
What drives the cycle forward?
Figure VV, 3rd Edition 
 30Free Energy of the Conversion of Malate to 
Oxaloacetate  The Last Reaction
 NADH
DG  29.7 kJ/mol Thus the equilibrium strongly 
favours malate.
Free Energy of the Conversion of Oxaloacetate to 
Citrate  The First Reaction
DG  -31.5 kJ/mol The equilibrium strongly 
favours citrate. Citrate is favoured more than 
malate. Thus, overall, the citric acid cycle is 
driven forward. 
 31Overall Reaction of the Citric Cycle
3 NAD  FAD  GDP  PO42-  CoAS-OAc
3 NADH  FADH2  GTP  CoASH  2 CO2
Note that an NADH and a CO2 are also produced in 
the decarboxylation of pyruvate. 
 32Oxidative Phosphorylation 
 33Review of The Mitochondrion
As many as 2000 mitochondria per 
cell. Appoximately the size of a bacterium  
probably evolutionarily derived from 
bacteria. Extensively invaginated inner 
membrane. Inter-membrane space continuous with 
cytosol. Matrix space separate metabolites, 
proteins, ADP, ATP, etc. Site of the Citric Acid 
Cycle Site of oxidative phosphorylation. 
 34Detail of Mitochondrial Membranes
Membranes  physical barriers. What about 
metabolites (NADH) that cant cross the 
mitochondrial membrane? 
 35NADH Does NOT Enter the Mitochondrion 
Directly The Malate-Aspartate Shuttle System
Mitochondrial inter-membrane space cytoplasm
Mitochondrial matrix
Cytosolic oxaloacetate converted to cytosolic 
malate by malate dehydrogenase. Consumes 
NADH. Cytosolic malate crosses into matix through 
malatea-ketoglutarate carrier. Mitochondrial 
matrix malate converted to mitochondrial 
oxaloacetate by mitochondrial malate 
dehydrogenase. NADH produced. Therefore, net 
transfer of NADH from cytosol to matrix. 
 36Electrochemical View of Glycolysis and the Citric 
Acid Cycle
6 CO2  6 H2O DG-2823 kJ/mol
C6H12O6  6 O2
As electrochemical half reactions
Oxidation of glucose
C6H12O6  6 H2O
6 CO2  24 H  24 e-
Reduction of oxygen
6 O2  24 H  24 e-
12 H2O 
 37Review of Electrochemistry
The Cell Potential  Potential Difference of 
the electrochemical reaction (i.e., the voltage)
E E(acceptor)  E (donor)
Reduction
Oxidation
The potential differences associated with 
electron transfer reactions are always given as 
 Reduction Potentials
NAD  H  2 e-
NADH E-0.315 V
½ O2  2 H  2 e-
H2O E0.815 V 
 38What is the Potential Difference for the 
Oxidation of NADH by O2?
NAD  2 H  2 e-
NADH  H E-0.315 V
½ O2  2 H  2 e-
H2O E0.815 V
NADH is oxidized but we have information for the 
reduction of NAD. The negative of the reduction 
potential is the oxidation potential.
NAD  2 H  2 e- E0.315 V
H  NADH
½ O2  2 H  2 e-
H2O E0.815 V
NADH  ½ O2  3 H  2 e-
NAD  2 H  2 e-  H2O 
NADH  ½ O2  H 
NAD  H2O E1.130 V 
 39Free Energy Changes in Electrochemical Reactions
NADH  ½ O2  H 
NAD  H2O E1.130 V
DG - nFE in which
n number of electrons involved F Faraday 
constant 96 485 C/mol 96 485 J/(V 
mol) E potential difference
DG - (2)  (96485 J/(V mol))  (1.130 V) DG - 
218 kJ/mol 
 40NADH Does NOT Enter the Mitochondrion 
Directly The Malate-Aspartate Shuttle System
Mitochondrial inter-membrane space cytoplasm
Mitochondrial matrix
Cytosolic oxaloacetate converted to cytosolic 
malate by malate dehydrogenase. Consumes 
NADH. Cytosolic malate crosses into matix through 
malatea-ketoglutarate carrier. Mitochondrial 
matrix malate converted to mitochondrial 
oxaloacetate by mitochondrial malate 
dehydrogenase. NADH produced. Therefore, net 
transfer of NADH from cytosol to matrix. 
 41Proteins Involved in the Electron Transport Chain
Note the translocation of protons. Note the 
absence of complex II. 
 42Complex I NADHCoenzyme Q Oxidoreductase
Point at which Citric Acid Cycle derived NADH 
enters oxidative phosphorylation. NADH reoxided. 
 2 e- process. Coenzyme Q reduced. 2 e- 
process. 4 protons driven from mitochondrial 
matrix to inner membrane space Sufficient to 
drive ATP synthesis. ( 3 ½ protons required) 
 43Complex II SuccinateCoenzyme Q Oxidoreductase
Point at which FADH2 enters oxidative phosphorylat
ion. FADH2 reoxided. 2 e- process Coenzyme Q 
reduced. 2 e- process. Insufficient to drive ATP 
synthesis. But, these are relatively 
high potential electrons, and they contribute to 
ATP synthesis in subsequent e- transfers. 
 44Succinate Dehydrogenase Generates FADH2 Enzyme is 
also part of Oxidative Phosphorylation Machinery 
(Complex II)
succinate dehydrogenase
Oxidized
Reduced
Oxidized
Reduced 
 45CoQ
Oxidation States of Coenzyme Q One and two 
 electron processes are possible at these centres 
 46Iron  Sulfur Complexes Common in the Electron 
Transport Chain Generally one electron processes 
occur at these centres. 
 47Disposition of Redox Centers in Complex II
In general, redox centres are not in direct 
contact with one-another. Thus suggests that 
electrons jump from one to the other. (Quantum 
mechanical tunneling) 
 48Complex III Coenzyme QCytochrome c 
 Oxidoreductase
Coenzyme Q is reoxidized in several one electron 
processes. The stable radical form of Coenzyme Q 
is essential for this chemistry. Two cytochrome 
c proteins are reduced in two separate one 
electron processes. Four protons are driven from 
the matrix to the inner membrane 
space. Sufficient to drive ATP synthesis 
 49Complex IV Cytochrome c Oxidase
Last electron transfers of oxidative 
phosphorylation. Four subsequent one electron 
cytochrome c oxidations One, four 
electron, reduction of one O2 molecule to yield 
2 water molecules. Four protons are driven from 
the matrix to the inner membrane 
space. Sufficient to drive ATP synthesis. 
 50Electrochemistry of the Electron Transport Chain
Reduction Potential 
 51Generation of the Proton Gradient Through the 
Electron Transport Chain 
 52The Proton Gradient and the Generation of ATP
The Chemical Potential 
 53The Proton Gradient and the Generation of ATP
Electrochemical View  The Nernst Potential
E Potential difference R Gas constant F Faraday
 constant z charge 
 54The Proton Pump in Bacteriorhodopsin 
 55Complex V  The F0F1 ATPase
F1
F0
F1 Water soluble site of ATP synthesis 
(hydrolysis). F2 Membrane bound, water 
insoluble site of proton translocation.. 
 56Complex V  The F0F1 ATPase
F1 Water soluble site of ATP synthesis 
(hydrolysis). a, b, g, d subunits. F0 
 Membrane bound, water insoluble site of proton 
translocation. a, b, c subunits. 
 57F0F1 ATPase Can be Separated into F0 and F1 Units
F1 units are lollipop shaped. a3b3gde 
 58F0 Assembly Membrane Spanning Multi-subunit 
protein ab2c9-12
c subunit site of protonation transfer equilibria
Electron micrograph reconstruction of F0 
assembly. Looking down on membrane spanning 
helices. 
 59Protonation Equilibria in c Subunit Monomers
pH 8 D61 deprotonated coiled-coil is kinked Y73 
group rotated out
pH 5 D61 protonated coiled-coil is straight Y73 
group rotated in
The protonation state of D61 induces a 
torque. Conversion of chemical and mechanical 
energy. 
 60F0F1 ATPase Can be Separated into F0 and F1 Units
F1 units are lollipop shaped. a3b3gde 
 61X-ray Crystal Structure of Bovine Heart 
Mitochondria F1 Assembly
- Showing a3b3g subunits 
- a and b subunits 
- Pseudo 3-fold symmetry. 
-  subunit breaks symmetry 
- 3 different conformations 
- in ab dimers.
aEbE empty (open) aDPbDP ADP 
(loose) aTPbTP ATP, synthetic site, (tight)
20 Å 
 62Symmetry
3 Fold (C3) Symmetric Each 120 rotation (360 / 
3) reproduces original
Psuedo 3-Fold Symmetric Presence of the 
line breaks the rotational symmetry Each segment 
unique. 
 63Speaking of Rotation
A system for direct visualization of rotation in 
the F0F1 ATPase 
 64The F0F1 ATPase is a Rotary Motor 
 65If Its a Rotary Motor, What is it Rotating 
Around?
View of electron density at a slice through the 
 F1 fragment.
Backbone trace  yellow ab subunits  blue g 
subunit  orange nucleotide  ball and stick.
The ab subunits rotate around the g subunit. 
 66Top  Down View of F1 Assembly
Surface potentials. Red  negative charge Blue  
positive charge White  hydrophobic 
surface. Note the hydrophobicity of the interior 
cavity  this is where the g subunit goes. 
 67View of the F1 Stalk  The g, d, and e Subunits
Hydrophobic.
Cyan g-subunit, visible in the above. Blue 
remainder of g-subunit. Green 
d-subunit. Magenta e-subunit. 
Point of attachment to F0. 
 68View of F1 Assembly and c10 Multimer of F0 
 69The F0F1 ATPase  The Whole E. coli Assembly 
 70Disposition of the g Subunit With Respect to the 
a3b3 Assembly  Three Different Sites, and the 
Synthesis of ATP
L State Loose binds ADP and Pi loosely. T 
State Tight catalytically acitve, generates 
ATP. O State Open binds nothing, is distorted 
 permits release of ATP. 
 71Additional Slides 
 72Conformational Changes in Citrate Synthase
Open  Substrate free form
Closed  Substrate bound form
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 73Oxidation of a-Ketoglutarate to Succinyl-CoA
Second production of NADH in the Citric Acid 
Cycle Second production of carbon dioxide in the 
Citric Acid Cycle
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 74Oxidation and Decarboxylation of Isocitrate 
Through Isocitrate Dehydrogenase
6 C
5 C
First production of NADH in the Citric Acid 
Cycle First production of carbon dioxide in the 
Citric Acid Cycle
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 75Isocitrate Dehydrogenase I
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 76Isocitrate Dehydrogenase II
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition. 
 77Isocitrate Dehydrogenase III
Figure Lehninger, 5th Edition.