Aconitase

Aconitase is an enzyme of the citric acid cycle (and glyoxylate cycle) that catalyzes the reaction below (reaction diagram):

> Citrate <=> D-Isocitrate ( = +6.3 kJ/mol).

The reaction is interesting in that the starting compound, citrate, has an axis of symmetry, yet a stereospecific product, D-isocitrate, is produced. This arises from the fact that aconitase has an asymmetric binding site for citrate (see stereospecificity link below as well).

Aconitase is inhibited by fluorocitrate.

Next enzyme of citric acid cycle / Previous enzyme of citric acid cycle

See also: Citric Acid Cycle, Glyoxylate Cycle Reactions, Stereospecificity of Aconitase, Enzymes of the Citric Acid Cycle, Table 14.1

INTERNET LINKS:

> 1. Glyoxylate Cycle Metabolism

> 2. Citric Acid Cycle