Coenzyme A

Coenzyme A (often abbreviated as CoA, CoASH, or HSCoA) is a crucial coenzyme involved in various biochemical reactions in living organisms. Its ubiquity in cell biology and biochemistry is evidenced by its role in up to 4% of enzymatic reactions within all living cells.

Biological Role

Coenzyme A is pivotal in several essential metabolic processes:

• Fatty acid synthesis: CoA plays a critical part in the synthesis of fatty acids, serving as a carrier for acyl groups.
• Citric Acid Cycle (Krebs Cycle): Within the Krebs cycle, CoA combines with oxaloacetate to form citrate, facilitating the continuation of the cycle.
• Pyruvate oxidation: Coenzyme A is instrumental in the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA, a fundamental step in cellular respiration.

Structure and Function

Coenzyme A is comprised of an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecule that is linked to a cysteamine and a pantothenic acid. The terminal thiol (-SH) group of the cysteamine provides CoA its reactivity, allowing it to acylate other molecules.

Importance in Research and Medicine

Given its central role in metabolism, Coenzyme A has been a subject of interest in many research fields. Its involvement in fatty acid synthesis, for instance, links it to studies on obesity and metabolic disorders. Additionally, drugs that affect CoA pathways might have therapeutic potential in treating various diseases.

See Also

• Enzyme
• Metabolism
• Biochemistry
• Cell biology

Gallery

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  Coenzyme A

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