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). (R)-N(6)-dihydrolipoyl-L-lysyl-[protein] + acetyl-CoA = (R)-N(6)-(S(8)-acetyldihydrolipoyl)-L-lysyl-[protein] + CoA Binds 2 lipoyl cofactors covalently. Forms a 24-polypeptide structural core with octahedral symmetry. Induced by glucose. Disruption inactivates the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and causes an increase in pyruvate concentration and acidity of the culture medium. Belongs to the 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase family.