The first step of the synthesis of fatty acid, to have the first molecule of Malonyl-CoA. This 3C containing unit formed from Acetyl-CoA with a carboxylation with the help of the Acetyl-CoA carboxylase enzyme, catalyzing the rate-limiting step in the lipogenesis

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC)

Acetyl-CoA is “activated” by carboxylation towards Malonyl-CoA by the enzyme Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC) (Figure 1). The reaction demands ATP and bicarbonate as the source of CO2. It is important to note that the biotin part of the carboxylase enzymes is crucial to perform a two-step based carboxylation.

  1. CO2 is linked to biotin on the enzyme, using energy produced by ATP hydrolysis
  2. CO2 is transferred to Acetyl

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