Dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase (core of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex) (E2 (PDC E2))

The **dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase (E2)** core is the central catalytic component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). It organizes and assembles the multi-enzyme complex, shuttles reaction intermediates between active sites via covalently attached lipoyl groups, and catalyzes the transfer of acetyl groups from hydroxyethyl-lipoamide to coenzyme A, forming acetyl-CoA. In mammals, E2 combines with the homologous but pseudocatalytic E3BP to form a dodecahedral or pseudoicosahedral core, serving as the scaffold for integration of the peripheral E1 (pyruvate decarboxylase) and E3 (dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase) enzymes. This makes E2 central to metabolism and a regulatory node in energy homeostasis.

Other names

Pyruvate dehydrogenase E2 subunitPDH E2Dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferasePDC E2 coreDihydrolipoyl transacetylase

Activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase via inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase increases PDHc activity (e.g., by dichloroacetate) Supplementation of cofactors (thiamine) to support enzymatic function