glutamate decarboxylation to succinate

The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the formation of succinate from glutamate. Also known as GABA (gamma-aminobutyrate) shunt since it channels glutamate into the TCA cycle bypassing two steps of that cycle. There are three enzymes involved in the GABA shunt: glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), GABA aminotransferase (GABA-TA), and succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH). These three enzymes acting in concert to convert glutamate into succinate. The GABA shunt is predominantly associated with neurotransmission in the mammalian brain. It is also present in nonneuronal cells, in plants, in unicellular eukaryotes, and in prokaryotes.

• Code: GO:0006540
• Source: Gene Ontology
• Alternative labels: glutamate degradation via GABA glutamate degradation via 4-aminobutyrate 4-aminobutyrate shunt GABA shunt degradation of glutamate to succinate through GABA gamma-aminobutyrate shunt