acetyl CoA
Last reviewed 09/2022
Acetyl-CoA is formed when pyruvate reacts with reduced coenzyme A.
It may then be used as follows:
- acetyl-CoA condenses with oxaloacetate to form citric acid. Citric acid may be metabolized by the Krebs cycle. The cycle results in the formation of two molecules of carbon dioxide and the regeneration of oxaloacetate. The Krebs cycle is the most efficient pathway of glucose metabolism for energy production.
- acetyl-CoA also represents the starting point of synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol and ketone bodies