The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex catalyzes the overall conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA and CO(2). It contains multiple copies of three enzymatic components: pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1), dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase (E2) and lipoamide dehydrogenase (E3). The B.subtilis PDH complex possesses also branched-chain 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase (BCDH) activity. (R)-N(6)-dihydrolipoyl-L-lysyl-[protein] + acetyl-CoA = (R)-N(6)-(S(8)-acetyldihydrolipoyl)-L-lysyl-[protein] + CoA Binds 1 lipoyl cofactor covalently. Forms a 24-polypeptide structural core with octahedral symmetry. Belongs to the 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase family.