What is the product of the reaction catalyzed by succinyl-CoA synthetase?

The reaction catalyzed by succinyl-CoA synthetase converts succinyl-CoA into succinate. This reaction is part of the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) and is significant because it is one of the few steps in the cycle that generates a molecule of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) or adenosine triphosphate (ATP), depending on the variant of the enzyme present.

During this reaction, succinyl-CoA loses its CoA group and becomes succinate, while a phosphate group is transferred to GDP or ADP to form GTP or ATP. Thus, the primary product of this enzymatic reaction is succinate, which then continues to participate in subsequent steps of the citric acid cycle.

Understanding this enzymatic reaction is crucial for grasping the broader metabolic pathways in biochemistry, particularly how energy is generated and transformed within the cell, emphasizing the importance of succinyl-CoA synthetase in energy metabolism.