6.5.2.3. Cleavage by thiolase

6.5.2.3. Cleavage by thiolase

 

Finally, 3-ketoacyl-CoA is spilt at the 2, 3- position by thiolase (3-ketoacyl-CoA-thiolase), which catalyzes a thiolytic cleavage involving another molecule of CoA.

 

The products of this reaction are acetyl-CoA and an acyl-CoA derivative containing two carbons less than the original acyl-CoA molecule that underwent oxidation. The acyl-CoA formed in the cleavage reaction renters the oxidative pathway at reaction 2.

In this way, a long-chain fatty acid may be degraded completely to acetyl-CoA (C2 units). Since acetyl-CoA can be oxidized to CO2 and water via the citric acid cycle (which is also found within the mitochondria), the complete oxidation of fatty acids in achieved.   

Cleavage by thiolase

Last modified: Saturday, 12 November 2011, 5:44 AM