Question

Question:How do cytosolic acyl groups enter the mitochondrion for degradation?

Short answer

Answer

Conversion of cytosolic acyl groups to acyl-carnitine in the presence of Carnitine palmitoyl transferases I help to reach the acyl group in the inner mitochondrial region.

Step-by-step solution

Carnitine

The main function of carnitine involves the energy metabolism reaction that happens in plant and animal tissues. It also helps in the transport of fatty acids across mitochondria as well as removing metabolism products from cells.

Fatty acid transportation

Fatty acyl-CoA derived from activation of fatty acid cannot enter the inner mitochondrial membrane directly. Instead, the acyl portion is treated with carnitine to give acyl-carnitine. The transesterification reaction occurs by the action of Carnitine palmitoyl transferases I, which transfers the acyl group to carnitine.

The acyl-carnitine is transferred to the inner mitochondrial matrix by the carnitine carrier protein. Then again, the same Carnitine palmitoyl transferases I present in the inner surface of the mitochondrial region liberate the free carnitine from acyl-carnitine. In this way, cytosolic acyl groups can enter the mitochondrial membrane while free carnitine will return to the cytosol.