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I. Frequently Asked Questions about Fatty Acid Metabolism

Importance of Fatty Acids Importance of Fatty Acids: Answer     Role of CoA Role of CoA: Answer     Essential Fatty Acids Essential Fatty Acids: Answer     Fatty Acid Structure Fatty Acid Structure: Answer     Fatty Acid Nomenclature Fatty Acid Nomenclature: Answer     Fatty Acyl Chain Growth Fatty Acyl Chain Growth: Answer     Fatty Acid Mobilization Fatty Acid Mobilization: Answer     Fatty Acid Activation Fatty Acid Activation: Answer     Transport into Mitochondria Transport into Mitochondria: Answer     Synthesis <I>vs.</I> Beta-Oxidation Synthesis <I>vs.</I> Beta-Oxidation: Answer     Ketone Bodies Ketone Bodies: Answer     Regulation of Ketone Body Production Regulation of Ketone Body Production: Answer     Previous Page Next Page

Transport into Mitochondria: Answer

How is fatty acyl CoA transported from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria for beta-oxidation?

Cytoplasmic fatty acyl CoA is converted to fatty acyl carnitine by carnitine acyl transferase (CAT I), an enzyme of the inner leaflet of the outer mitochondrial membrane. Fatty acyl carnitine is then trransported by an antiport in exchange for free carnitine to the inner surface of the inner mitochondrial membrane. There carnitine acyl transferase II (CAT II) reverses the process, producing fatty acyl CoA and carnitine. This shuttle mechanism is required only for longer chain fatty acids. Medium- and short chain fatty acids are carnitine-independent. They cross the mitochondrial membranes, and are activated in the mitochondrion.

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