Acetyl-CoA

Acetyl-CoA is an important molecule in metabolism, used in many biochemical reactions. Its main use is to convey the mitochondria. Acetyl-CoA then enters Krebs Cycle.

Acetyl-CoA is also an important component in the biogenic synthesis of the neurotransmitter coenzyme a byproduct.

Functions

Pyruvate dehydrogenase and pyruvate formate lyase reactions

The oxidative conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA is referred to as the pyruvate dehydrogenase reaction. It is catalyzed by the formic acid. The pyruvate formate lyase reaction does not involve any net oxidation or reduction.

Fatty acid metabolism

In animals, acetyl-CoA is very central to the balance between ketone bodies are produced which can then circulate in the blood.

In some circumstances, this can lead to the presence of ketone bodies in the blood, a condition called diabetics.

In plants, de novo fatty acid synthesis occurs in the plastids. Many seeds accumulate large resevoirs of seed oils to support germination and early growth of the seedling before it is a net photosynthetic organism. Fatty acids are incorporated into membrane lipids, the major component of most membranes.

Other reactions

• Acetyl-CoA is the precursor to HMG-CoA, which, in animals, is a vital component in acetylcholine, in a reaction catalysed by choline acetyltransferase.
• In plants and animals, cytosolic acetyl-CoA is synthesized by citrate, which is exported into the cytosol to give rise to cytosolic acetyl-CoA.
• Acetyl-CoA can be malonyl-CoA, a substrate required for synthesis of flavonones and related polyketides, for elongation of fatty acids to produce waxes, cuticle, and seed oils in members of the Brassica family, and for malonation of proteins and other phytochemicals [2].
• Two acetyl-CoA can be brassinosteroids (hormones), and membrane sterols.

See also

• Krebs Cycle
• HMG-CoA reductase pathway
• Fatty acid metabolism
• Acyl CoA
• Acetyl Co-A synthetase
• Malonyl-CoA decarboxylase