Question

Aspartate can be degragated to NH4, CO2, and H2O to produce ATP energy by its carbons entering the TCA cycle. How many molecules of ATP can be generated from each molecule of this amino acid? using NADH=2.5 ATPS and FADH2=1.5 ATPs

Answer 1

Aspartate with the help of aspartate transaminase converted into 4 carbon compound Oxaloacetate and thus enter into Krebs cycle.

Oxaloacetate combines with Acetyl Co-A and converted into citric acid.

One complete Krebs cycle oxidizes Acetyl Co-A into two molecules of CO2 and produces 3 NADH. 1GTP and one FADH which overall give 10 ATP.

Aspartate is converted into four carbon Oxaloacetate. To oxidize it complete it has to go two complete Krebs cycle. So overall we will get 20 ATP from complete oxidation of Aspartate

In one Krebs cycle 3 NADH is produced which will give 3*2.5 ATP = 7.5 ATP

1 FADH which will give 1.5 ATP

1 GTP is produced which will get converted into 1 ATP

So upon adding we will get 7.5 + 1.5 + 1 = 10 ATP

In one cycle we will get 10 ATP

for complete oxidation of Oxaloacetate two cycle will be needed which will give 20 ATP

So complete oxidation of Aspartate will give us 20 ATP per molecule