Abstract
Fatty acids are normally synthesized from acetyl-CoA, a process that requires ATP, biotin, Mg++, and Mn++. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in fatty acid biosynthesis, is inhibited by glucagon and epinephrine, and stimulated by insulin. Intermediates in fatty acid biosynthesis are attached to acyl carrier protein (ACP). Malonyl-CoA serves as an activated donor of acetyl groups in fatty acid biosynthesis. Propionate (C3) may be used in place of acetate (C2) as a priming molecule for fatty acid biosynthesis in adipocytes and in the lactating mammary gland. Fatty acid elongation beyond palmitate takes place in mitochondria, or on the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). Animals are capable of synthesizing all of the FAs they need except for the essential FAs, which must be supplied through the diet. The hexose monophosphate shunt, malic enzyme, and cytoplasmic isocitrate dehydrogenase assist in providing NADPH for palmitate biosynthesis. Fatty acid biosynthesis occurs in adipocytes of ruminant animals, and in the liver of non-ruminant animals.
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