Definition of Pyruvate oxidation

The pyruvate decarboxylation reaction links the metabolic pathways glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. This reaction is the conversion of pyruvate, the end product of glycolysis, into acetyl CoA. The pyruvate decarboxylation reaction may be simply referred to as "the transition reaction", "the link reaction", or "the oxidative decarboxylation reaction". This reaction is catalyzed by the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.