Sandbox Reserved 1546: Difference between revisions

In order to better understand the function of this 5H86 enzyme, we have to understand the basic processes of Fatty Acid Degradation. Fatty Acid Degradation is the procedure that fatty acids go through to be broken down into their metabolites and it takes place in the mitochondrial matrix <ref name = "Section 22.4 Fatty Acids Are Synthesized and Degraded by Different Pathways">Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, Stryer L. Biochemistry. 5th edition. New York: W H Freeman; 2002. Section 22.4, Fatty Acids Are Synthesized and Degraded by Different Pathways. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22554/</ref>. Intermediates in the fatty acid breakdown are covalently attached to the sulfhydryl group of coenzyme A <ref name = "Section 22.4 Fatty Acids Are Synthesized and Degraded by Different Pathways"/>.  

<p> 1. '''Lipolysis and release from adipose tissue''': In the initial steps of degradation, fatty acids are stored in the adipocytes <ref name = "Section 22.4 Fatty Acids Are Synthesized and Degraded by Different Pathways"/>. The breakdown of adipocytes is called lipolysis where they are then released into the bloodstream to circulate through the body <ref name = "Section 22.4 Fatty Acids Are Synthesized and Degraded by Different Pathways"/>.</p>

<p> 2. '''Activation and transport into the mitochondria''': The mitochondria is where fatty acid oxidation occurs which activates fatty acids to be carried to the mitochondria <ref name = "Section 22.4 Fatty Acids Are Synthesized and Degraded by Different Pathways"/>. The enzyme responsible for the catalysis of this step is Fatty-Acyl Coa Synthetase <ref name = "Section 22.4 Fatty Acids Are Synthesized and Degraded by Different Pathways"/>. Malonyl ACP is the activated donor of two carbon units in the elongation step which is operated by the release of CO2 <ref name = "Section 22.4 Fatty Acids Are Synthesized and Degraded by Different Pathways"/>.</p>

<p>3. '''Β-oxidation''': Once inside the mitochodria, five steps occur: 1) Activation by ATP, 2) Oxidation by FAD, 3) Hydration, 4) Oxidation by NAD+, and 5) Thyolysis <ref name = "Section 22.4 Fatty Acids Are Synthesized and Degraded by Different Pathways"/>. The final product is Acetyl-CoA which is now able to be able to enter the TCA cycle <ref name = "Section 22.4 Fatty Acids Are Synthesized and Degraded by Different Pathways"/>. </p>

<p>One of the enzymes that have a key role in fatty acid degradation and that is also our enzyme of study is known as acyl-CoA acetyltransferase or thiolase. Thiolases are enzymes that have key roles in biochemical pathways and can either be degrative or biosynthetic <ref name = "Biochemistry, 5th edition">Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, Stryer L. Biochemistry. 5th edition. New York: W H Freeman; 2002. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21154/</ref>. Degrative thiolases such as 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase, plays a role in fatty-acid β-oxidation in peroxisomes and mitochondria and ketone body metabolism in mitochondria, whereas biosynthetic thiolases, like acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase, catalyzes Acetoacetyl-CoA to two Acetyl-CoAs <ref name = "Biochemistry, 5th edition"/>.</p>