The disease beriberi is caused by a nutritional deficiency in vitamin
B_(1)
(thiamin). What key mitochondrial enzyme uses thiamin as a coenzyme in a reaction that generates acetyl-CoA,
CO_(2)
, and
NADH+H^(+)
as products; and why is this condition rare in developed countries? Alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase; beriberi is rare because most people eat berries for their oxidants. Pyruvate dehydrogenase; beriberi is rare because many common foods are vitamin-fortified. Fumarase; beriberi is rare because DNA contains large amounts of thiamin paired with adenine. Malate dehydrogenase; beriberi is rare because other vitamins can replace thiamin. Citrate synthase; beriberi is rare because thiamin can be obtained from drinking water.