Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier

Topic

The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) is a multi-subunit protein complex located in the inner mitochondrial membrane that facilitates the transport of pyruvate from the cytosol into the mitochondrial matrix. By bridging cytosolic glycolysis with mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, the MPC acts as a critical metabolic gatekeeper in eukaryotic energy metabolism. It is primarily composed of two homologous proteins, MPC1 and MPC2, and serves as a key therapeutic target for metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases.