Pyruvate decarboxylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate into acetaldehyde and carbon dioxide, playing a crucial role in anaerobic metabolism. This process is vital for organisms that rely on fermentation to generate energy in the absence of oxygen, facilitating the production of ethanol in yeast and other pathways in various organisms. The reaction helps to regenerate NAD+, which is essential for glycolysis to continue under anaerobic conditions.
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