Solution to PS 3 #7

a) An increased level of citrate and decreases in the remaining citric acid cycle intermediates suggests that the block was in the conversion of citrate to isocitrate.  This   suggests that fluoroacetyl CoA  inhibits of aconitase.

b) Fluorocitrate is the product, it competes with citrate  for the active site of aconitase and its structure suggests it is probably a competetive inhibitor.  It's effect can therefore be overcome by excess citrate.

c)  Since citrate is an inhibitor of phosphofructokinase 1, and glycolytic intermediates upstream of phosphofructokinase 1  are elevated,  it is likely that fluorocitrate  inhibits phosphofructokinase 1.

d) Both glycolysis and the citric acid cycle are shut down by fluoroacetate (fluoraacetyl coA), so all ATP producing processes are shut down.



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