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The sperm-specific pyruvate dehydrogenase E1α genes

  • Chapter
Alpha-Keto Acid Dehydrogenase Complexes

Part of the book series: MCBU Molecular and Cell Biology Updates ((MCBU))

Abstract

All cells require energy for function. This is generated partly through catabolic processes in which carbohydrates, fatty acids and amino acids are converted to metabolites which then can be used in energy-producing reactions. Although some energy can be, and is, generated by anaerobic metabolism (e.g., in glycolysis), most energy in mammalian cells is generated through aerobic energy production in the mitochondria. Nearly all tissues can use carbohydrates, fatty acids and amino acids for energy production. Despite this, they do have certain individual preferences and this leads to cooperation between various cells and tissues in the body. For example, under normal circumstances the liver uses mainly fatty acids and exports glucose. Muscles mainly use glucose for energy production, but can, if necessary, use some of the alternative energy sources. However, this is not true of all tissues. Brain and sperm cells are unique in that they generate nearly all their energy from carbohydrates or derivatives thereof (Fig. 1) and are therefore likely to be more severely affected by deficiencies in their cells’ ability to convert carbohydrates to energy.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. J. Fitzgerald

    Present address: Department of Anesthesia, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA

  2. R. Iannello

    Present address: Centre for Early Human Development, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Murdoch Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia

    H.-H. M. Dahl

Authors
  1. H.-H. M. Dahl
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  2. J. Fitzgerald
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  3. R. Iannello
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, 140 Farber Hall 3435 Main Street, 14214, Buffalo, New York, USA

    Mulchand S. Patel

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Kansas State University, 104 Willard Hall, 66506, Manhattan, KS, USA

    Thomas E. Roche

  3. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, 46202, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Robert A. Harris

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© 1996 Birkhäuser Verlag Basel/Switzerland

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Dahl, HH.M., Fitzgerald, J., Iannello, R. (1996). The sperm-specific pyruvate dehydrogenase E1α genes. In: Patel, M.S., Roche, T.E., Harris, R.A. (eds) Alpha-Keto Acid Dehydrogenase Complexes. MCBU Molecular and Cell Biology Updates. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8981-0_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8981-0_16

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser Basel

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-0348-9853-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-0348-8981-0

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