Betaoksidaatioksi

Betaoksidaatioksi is the metabolic process by which fatty acids are broken down in the mitochondria to generate acetyl-CoA. This acetyl-CoA then enters the citric acid cycle, where it is further oxidized to produce ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell. The process is named "beta-oxidation" because the oxidation occurs at the beta-carbon atom of the fatty acid chain.

The overall process involves several enzymatic steps. First, the fatty acyl-CoA is activated by attaching a coenzyme A molecule. This activated fatty acid then undergoes a series of reactions: oxidation, hydration, oxidation, and cleavage. Each cycle of beta-oxidation shortens the fatty acid chain by two carbon atoms, releasing one molecule of acetyl-CoA, one molecule of FADH2, and one molecule of NADH. These reduced electron carriers, FADH2 and NADH, then proceed to the electron transport chain to produce ATP.

Beta-oxidation is a crucial pathway for energy production, especially during periods of fasting or prolonged exercise when glucose levels are low. The rate of beta-oxidation can be regulated by the availability of fatty acids and the energy demands of the cell. Hormones like adrenaline and glucagon can stimulate lipolysis, releasing fatty acids from adipose tissue and increasing the flux through beta-oxidation. Deficiencies in the enzymes involved in beta-oxidation can lead to various metabolic disorders.