<prompt> Alcoholics may develop fatal lactic acidosis due to inhibition of which of the following enzyme?Pyruvate dehydrogenaseDihydrolipoyl transacetylaseDihydrolipoyl dehydrogenasePhosphoglycerate kinase  <response>: Pyruvate is decarboxylated by the pyruvate dehydrogenase component of the enzyme complex to a hydroxyethyl derivative of the thiazole ring of enzyme-bound thiamin diphosphate. Arsenite and mercuric ions react with the SH groups of lipoic acid and inhibit pyruvate dehydrogenase, as does a dietary deficiency of thiamin allowingpyruvate to accumulate. Many alcoholics are thiamin deficient both because of a poor diet and also because alcohol inhibits thiamin absorption, and may develop potentially fatal pyruvic and lactic acidosis.Ref: Harper;s Biochemistry; 30th edition; Chapter 17; Glycolysis the Oxidation of Pyruvate 