Fatty acid degradation

Fatty acid degradation is a crucial metabolic process that plays a significant role in energy production within the human body. This process involves the breakdown of fatty acids into acetyl-CoA molecules, which can then enter the citric acid cycle to generate ATP, the primary energy currency of cells.

Overview

Fatty acid degradation, also known as beta-oxidation, occurs in the mitochondria of cells and involves a series of enzymatic reactions that sequentially remove two-carbon units from the fatty acid chain. These two-carbon units are converted into acetyl-CoA, which can then be further metabolized to produce energy.

Steps of Fatty Acid Degradation

1. Activation: Fatty acids are first activated by attaching CoA to form acyl-CoA, a process catalyzed by acyl-CoA synthetase.

2. Transport into Mitochondria: Acyl-CoA is then transported into the mitochondria by carnitine shuttle system.

3. Beta-Oxidation: The fatty acid chain undergoes a series of four enzymatic reactions in the mitochondrial matrix, resulting in the removal of two-carbon acetyl-CoA units.

4. Acetyl-CoA Processing: Acetyl-CoA enters the citric acid cycle to generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.

Importance of Fatty Acid Degradation

Fatty acid degradation is essential for maintaining energy homeostasis in the body, especially during periods of fasting or prolonged exercise when glucose levels are low. It provides a significant source of ATP production and helps to preserve glucose for vital organs such as the brain.