What is the significant product of Step 9 in glycolysis?

In glycolysis, Step 9 is the conversion of 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), catalyzed by the enzyme enolase. This step is critical as it involves the removal of a water molecule from 2-phosphoglycerate, resulting in the formation of PEP, which has a high-energy phosphate bond. This energy-rich compound is crucial for the subsequent step of glycolysis, where PEP donates its phosphate group to ADP to form ATP, thereby driving the substrate-level phosphorylation process.

Phosphoenolpyruvate has one of the highest phosphoryl transfer potentials among all known compounds, making it an ideal intermediate in the energy-producing phase of glycolysis. The importance of this step lies not only in the formation of PEP but also in setting the stage for the generation of ATP, which is a key goal of glycolysis.