Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (also known as PEP carboxylase, PEPCase, or PEPC; EC 4.1.1.31) is an enzyme in the family of carboxy-lyases that catalyzes the addition of bicarbonate to phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to form the four-carbon compound oxaloacetate:
- PEP + HCO3- → oxaloacetate + Pi
This reaction is used for carbon fixation in so-called "CAM" and "C4" plants where it plays a key role in photosynthesis. The enzyme is also found in some bacteria, but not in animals or fungi.
Read more about Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase: Enzyme Regulation, PEP Carboxylase in Photosynthesis