Betaoksidaatiossa

Betaoksidaatiossa, also known as fatty acid beta-oxidation, is a fundamental metabolic process in living organisms responsible for breaking down fatty acids. This catabolic pathway occurs primarily in the mitochondria, although it also takes place in peroxisomes for very long-chain fatty acids. The primary goal of beta-oxidation is to generate acetyl-CoA, a two-carbon molecule that can then enter the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle) to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main energy currency of the cell.

The process involves a series of four recurring enzymatic reactions: oxidation, hydration, oxidation, and cleavage. In each cycle, two carbon atoms are removed from the carboxyl end of the fatty acid chain in the form of acetyl-CoA. This results in a shorter fatty acyl-CoA molecule, which then undergoes further rounds of beta-oxidation until the entire fatty acid chain is converted into acetyl-CoA units. The electrons removed during the oxidation steps are transferred to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which are then used to produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.

Beta-oxidation is crucial for energy production, especially during periods of fasting or prolonged exercise when glucose levels are low. It also plays a role in the synthesis of certain signaling molecules and ketone bodies. Defects in beta-oxidation can lead to a range of metabolic disorders, often referred to as fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAODs), which can have serious health consequences.