Lipolysis: hydrolysis of triacylglycerol to glycerol and free fatty acids

b-Oxidation: mitochondrial oxidation of fatty acids -----> ENERGY!

Ketogenesis: synthesis of ketone bodies

Lipogenesis: fatty acid synthesis

Esterification: attachment of fatty acids to glycerol to form triglycerides

Cholesterolgenesis: synthesis of cholesterol (see "Cholesterol" Lecture)

Steroidogenesis: synthesis of steroid hormones from cholesterol

Liver: oxidizes fats, produces ketones, exports triglycerides

Muscle: uses fats and ketones as an energy source

Adipose Tissue: stores fats as triacylglycerol and releases fatty acids as needed for energy

Mature RBC's (no mitochondria) / Brain (lack of enzymes): do not use fats for energy

Export of Acetyl CoA for Fatty Acid Biosynthesis

AcetylCoA _mit + 2ATP + NADH + NADP⁺ ---> AcetylCoA _cyt + 2ADP + 2P_i + NAD⁺ + NADPH

Committed Step, Highly Regulated

Dimeric Enzyme: each monomer has 7 enzyme activities

Primary Product: palmitic acid

Purpose: process the fatty acid chain through 7 cycles to produce the 16-C product; 4 C's are introduced in the first cycle from Acetyl CoA and Malonyl CoA; subsequent cycles 2 C units are derived from Malonyl CoA following the release of CO₂

[1] ACP on one monomer is in close proximity to CE on the other monomer. The initial steps result in attachment of an acetyl group from acetyl CoA on CE and the malonyl group from malonylCoA on ACP.

[2] The acetyl group on CE condenses with the malonyl residue on ACP with the release of CO2.

[3] The ACP bound intermediate undergoes reduction by NADPH, dehydration, second reduction (NADPH).

[4] The 4 C fatty acid is transferred to the CE preparing the ACP for attachment of a second malonyl CoA.

[5] Malonyl CoA donates a malonyl group to ACP (as previously described).

[6] The 4 C group from CE condenses with the second malonyl residue with release of CO2.

[7] Reduction (NADPH), dehydration, second reduction (NADPH).

[8] The cycle is completed with the transfer of the growing hydrocarbon chain to CE.

[9] The process continues for 5 more cycles ([4] through [7]) with successive two C additions. Once a palmitoyl group is formed on ACP it is cleaved by thioesterase releasing palmitic acid (palmitate).

Elongation: microsomal process (ER), requires malonylCoA and two NADPH, process is similar to that occurring with fatty acid synthase.

Unsaturation: microsomal process, reduction with NADPH or NADH, molecular oxygen is required.

Formation of Phosphatidic Acid from Glycerol or Dihydroxyacetone Phosphate and its Conversion to Triacylglycerol or Phospholipids.

© Dr. Noel Sturm 2015