acetylCoAvägen

Acetyl-CoA is a crucial molecule in cellular metabolism, acting as a central hub for the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It is formed when a two-carbon acetyl group, derived from pyruvate (the end product of glycolysis) or fatty acid oxidation, is attached to coenzyme A. This high-energy thioester bond is readily hydrolyzed, releasing energy that can be captured by the cell.

The primary role of acetyl-CoA is to feed into the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle or TCA cycle). In this cycle, the acetyl group is completely oxidized to carbon dioxide, generating electron carriers (NADH and FADH2) that will subsequently fuel ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation. Acetyl-CoA is also involved in the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol, and ketone bodies. Its production and utilization are tightly regulated to meet the cell's energy demands and biosynthetic needs. The availability of acetyl-CoA is therefore a key determinant of cellular metabolic state.