Which process allows oxaloacetate to be used in gluconeogenesis?

Oxaloacetate plays a crucial role in the process of gluconeogenesis, where glucose is formed from non-carbohydrate precursors. In this context, the glyoxylate cycle provides a mechanism to convert acetyl-CoA into carbohydrates, allowing plants and certain microorganisms to synthesize glucose from fatty acids.

The glyoxylate cycle bypasses the decarboxylation steps of the citric acid cycle (Citrate Cycle) and allows the conversion of acetyl-CoA into oxaloacetate. The use of oxaloacetate in gluconeogenesis is facilitated by this cycle, which ultimately enables the formation of glucose from acetyl-CoA by feeding into gluconeogenesis.

While the gluconeogenesis pathway itself involves glucose synthesis directly, the glyoxylate cycle specifically references the metabolic pathway that generates the oxaloacetate needed for this synthesis from acetate. Therefore, the glyoxylate cycle is essential for providing the necessary substrate for gluconeogenesis in specific organisms capable of using fatty acids for glucose production.