Question

Question:What is the role of ATP-citrate lyase in fatty acid synthesis?

Short answer

ATP-citrate lyase is an enzyme used for the conversion of citrate in the cytosol to acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate.

$\mathrm{Citrate}+\mathrm{CoA}+\mathrm{ATP}\underset{\mathrm{ATP}-\mathrm{citrate}\mathrm{lyase}}{\to }\mathrm{Acetyl}-\mathrm{CoA}+\mathrm{Oxaloacetate}+\mathrm{ADP}+{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{i}}$

Acetyl-CoA can be used for fatty acid biosynthesis.

Step-by-step solution

ATP-citrate lyase

Also known as ATP-citrate synthase is an essential enzyme helpful in fatty acid biosynthesis.

Functions of ATP-citrate lyase in the fatty acid synthesis

The enzyme is responsible for the conversion of citrate to acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate. Citrate lyase will catalyze the conversion of citrate and coenzyme A in the cytosol to yield acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate, driven by hydrolysis of ATP to ADP.The reaction is as follows: $\mathrm{Citrate}+\mathrm{CoA}+\mathrm{ATP}\underset{\mathrm{ATP}-\mathrm{citrate}\mathrm{lyase}}{\to }\mathrm{Acetyl}-\mathrm{CoA}+\mathrm{Oxaloacetate}+\mathrm{ADP}+{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{i}}$

The product acetyl-CoA is then used in the synthesis of the fatty acids in the cytosol.