Beta oxidation
Beta Oxidation
Beta oxidation (pronounced: /ˈbeɪtə ɒksɪˈdeɪʃən/) is a metabolic process involving multiple steps by which fatty acid molecules are broken down within the mitochondria in animal cells. The name 'beta oxidation' comes from the fact that the beta carbon (the second carbon atom from the carboxyl group of the fatty acid) undergoes oxidation to a keto group.
Etymology
The term "beta oxidation" was coined because the beta carbon of the fatty acid undergoes oxidation. The term "oxidation" refers to the process of removing electrons from an atom, ion, or molecule. In the context of beta oxidation, it refers to the removal of electrons from the beta carbon of the fatty acid.
Process
Beta oxidation begins with the activation of fatty acids into fatty acyl-CoA molecules. This process occurs in the cytoplasm, where the fatty acid is bound to coenzyme A (CoA) to form a fatty acyl-CoA complex. This complex is then transported into the mitochondria, where the actual beta oxidation process takes place.
The beta oxidation process consists of four main steps:
- Dehydrogenation: The fatty acyl-CoA is oxidized by the enzyme acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, creating a double bond between the alpha and beta carbons, and producing FADH2.
- Hydration: The double bond is hydrated by the enzyme enoyl-CoA hydratase, adding a hydroxyl group to the beta carbon.
- Second dehydrogenation: The beta hydroxyl group is oxidized by the enzyme 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, producing NADH and a keto group at the beta carbon.
- Thiolysis: The beta ketoacyl-CoA is cleaved by the enzyme thiolase, releasing a molecule of acetyl-CoA and a shortened fatty acyl-CoA.
Each round of beta oxidation shortens the fatty acid by two carbon atoms, producing one molecule of acetyl-CoA, one molecule of FADH2, and one molecule of NADH. The process continues until the entire fatty acid chain has been converted into acetyl-CoA molecules.
Related Terms
- Fatty acid
- Mitochondria
- Carboxyl group
- Keto group
- Fatty acyl-CoA
- Cytoplasm
- Coenzyme A
- Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase
- Enoyl-CoA hydratase
- 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase
- Thiolase
- Acetyl-CoA
- FADH2
- NADH
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Beta oxidation
- Wikipedia's article - Beta oxidation
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