CARNITINE ACETYLTRANSFERASE Meaning and
Definition
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Carnitine acetyltransferase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the metabolism of fatty acids. It is an essential component of the carnitine shuttle system, which facilitates the transportation of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy production.
The primary function of carnitine acetyltransferase is to transfer an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to L-carnitine, resulting in the formation of acetyl-L-carnitine. This reaction occurs within the mitochondrial matrix, where carnitine acetyltransferase acts as a catalyst, enabling the acetyl group to be substituted onto the L-carnitine molecule.
Acetyl-L-carnitine serves as an important carrier molecule, allowing the transportation of acetyl groups generated during fatty acid oxidation across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Once inside the mitochondria, these acetyl groups can be utilized in the production of energy through various metabolic pathways, such as the citric acid cycle or Krebs cycle.
By facilitating the movement of acetyl groups, carnitine acetyltransferase ensures efficient energy production and the maintenance of cellular energy balance. Additionally, it also helps in the regulation of cellular acetyl-CoA levels, which have important implications for various metabolic processes, including lipid synthesis and protein acetylation.
In summary, carnitine acetyltransferase is an enzyme involved in the carnitine shuttle system, catalyzing the transfer of acetyl groups from acetyl-CoA to L-carnitine to form acetyl-L-carnitine. This process enables the transport of acetyl groups into the mitochondria for energy production and serves as an essential component of fatty acid metabolism.
Common Misspellings for CARNITINE ACETYLTRANSFERASE
- xarnitine acetyltransferase
- varnitine acetyltransferase
- farnitine acetyltransferase
- darnitine acetyltransferase
- czrnitine acetyltransferase
- csrnitine acetyltransferase
- cwrnitine acetyltransferase
- cqrnitine acetyltransferase
- caenitine acetyltransferase
- cadnitine acetyltransferase
- cafnitine acetyltransferase
- catnitine acetyltransferase
- ca5nitine acetyltransferase
- ca4nitine acetyltransferase
- carbitine acetyltransferase
- carmitine acetyltransferase
- carjitine acetyltransferase
- carhitine acetyltransferase
- carnutine acetyltransferase
- carnjtine acetyltransferase
Etymology of CARNITINE ACETYLTRANSFERASE
The word "carnitine" originates from the Latin word "caro" which means "flesh" or "meat". It was named so because it was first isolated from meat extract in the early 20th century. "Acetyltransferase" is a combination of two terms: "acetyl", which comes from the chemical term "acetyl group", referring to a functional group composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, and "transferase", which is a common suffix used for enzymes that facilitate the transfer of a functional group from one molecule to another. Therefore, "carnitine acetyltransferase" refers to the enzyme that is responsible for the transfer of an acetyl group to carnitine.
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