Pyruvate is the entry point of the three-carbon amino acids - alanine, serine, and cysteine - into the metabolic mainstream.

The transamination of alanine directly yields pyruvate (the same reaction of the cori cycle).

Serine is deaminated to pyruvate by serine dehydratase.

Cysteine can be converted into pyruvate by several pathways, with its sulfur atom emerging in H₂S, SO₃^2-, or SCN^-.

The carbon atoms of three other amino acids can be converted into pyruvate:

-Glycine can be converted into serine by enzymatic addition of a hydroxymethyl group, or it can be cleaved to give CO₂, NH₄⁺, and an activated one-carbon unit.

-Threonine can give rise to pyruvate by way of aminoacetone.

Three carbon atoms of tryptophan can emerge in alanine, wich can be converted into pyruvate.