NCIt definition : A 2-oxo monocarboxylic acid anion that is the conjugate base of pyruvic acid, which
is an important metabolic product for energy-producing biochemical pathways. Pyruvate
is the final product of glycolysis and, when hypoxic conditions arise, can be metabolized
anaerobically to form lactate. This chemical is a precursor of both acetyl-coenzyme
A and oxaloacetate, which are involved in the citric acid cycle. Additionally, oxaloacetate
is a substrate in the gluconeogenesis pathway.;