In beta-oxidation of fatty acids carnitine is required for
Role of Carnitine Fatty acids are activated in the cytoplasm, but the beta-oxidation is in mitochondria. So transpo of fatty acids through the mitochondrial membrane is essential. The long chain fatty acyl CoA cannot pass through the inner mitochondrial membrane. Therefore a transpoer, carnitine is involved in transfer of fatty acids. Carnitine is beta-hydroxy- gamma-trimethyl ammonium butyrate, (CH3)3-N+-CH2-CHOH-CH2-COOH. It is synthesised from lysine and methionine in liver and kidney. Carnitine Acyl Transferase The enzyme carnitine acyl transferase-I (CAT-I) will transfer the fatty acyl group to the hydroxyl group of carnitine to form acyl carnitine The reaction occurs on the cytosolic side of inner mitochondrial membrane. : Translocase A protein translocase will carry the acylcarnitine across the membrane to the matrix of mitochondria. On the matrix side of the membrane, another enzyme, carnitine acyl transferase-II (CAT-II) will transfer the acyl group back to coenzyme A molecule. Carnitine is returned to the cytosolic side by the translocase.Ref: DM Vasudevan - Textbook of Biochemistry, 8th edition, page no: 131
Conversion of sho chain fatty acids to long chain fatty acids
Transpo of long chain fatty acid to mitochondrial inner layer
Transpo of long chain fatty acid to cytoplasm
Conversion of long chain fatty acids to sho chain fatty acids
Metabolism of lipid