Elongation Process:
It involves the sequence of reactions which add 2 carbon units to the growing chain. All the reactions take place when the reactant molecule are still attached with ACP.
Step 1:
Acetyl CoA and Malonyl CoA condense to give β-keto acyl ACP.
Reaction involves the release of CO₂.
Enzyme: β-keto acyl ACP synthase.
Step 2:
β-keto acyl ACP → β-keto hydroxyacyl ACP
Enzyme: β-keto acyl ACP reductase and NADPH + H⁺ → NADP⁺
Step 3:
β-hydroxyacyl ACP → β-unsaturated acyl ACP
Enzyme: hydratase with the release of H₂O
Step 4:
β, β unsaturated acyl ACP + NADPH + H⁺ → β-keto acyl ACP + NADP⁺
After the sequence of reaction, a four-carbon compound (butyryl ACP) is obtained which is still attached to ACP.
Continuation of bonding of malonyl CoA and elongation process:
4-carbon butyrate is then transferred from the ACP to the cysteine of the residue of β-keto acyl ACP synthase complex, now ACP is vacant.
Then, a new molecule of malonyl CoA binds to ACP.
Then the 4 reactions are repeated so that a 6-carbon fatty acid is synthesized.
This process is repeated till the 16-carbon fatty acid (palmitic acid) is formed which is still attached to ACP.
Release of Palmitic Acid
palmitoyl-thioesterase (deacylase) enzyme releases palmitic acid from ACP of fatty acid synthase complex
palmitoyl-ACP + H₂O → palmitic acid + ACP
Provide of NADPH for Fatty Acid Synthesis
NADPH required for the synthesis is mainly by HMP shunt pathway
malic enzyme and cytosolic isocitrate dehydrogenase enzyme also provide NADPH + H⁺
Regulation
Fatty acid synthase is the catalyst enzyme of fatty acid synthesis.
It is activated by citrate and inhibited by long-chain acyl-CoA like palmitoyl-CoA.
Insulin induces acetyl-CoA carboxylase enzyme
Glucose, epinephrine, norepinephrine and thyroxine inactivate the enzyme by promoting phosphorylation and inhibiting fatty acid synthesis.
Significance
Fatty acids are synthesized when there is a surplus of energy.
The process of carbohydrate and amino acids are converted to fatty acids and then stored as fat.
Elongation Process
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