Malonyl-CoA

Malonyl-CoA is a coenzyme A derivative of malonic acid.

Functions

It plays a key role in chain elongation in fatty acid biosynthesis and polyketide biosynthesis.

Malonyl-CoA is also used in transporting alpha-ketoglutarate across the mitochondrial membrane into the mitochondrial matrix.

Fatty acid biosynthesis

In the former, it provides 2-carbon units to fatty acids and commits them to fatty acid chain synthesis.

Malonyl-CoA is formed by carboxylating acetyl-CoA using the enzyme acetyl-CoA carboxylase. One molecule of acetyl-CoA joins with a molecule of bicarbonate, requiring energy rendered from ATP.

Malonyl-CoA is utilised in fatty acid biosynthesis by the enzyme malonyl coenzyme A:acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT). MCAT serves to transfer malonate from malonyl-CoA to the terminal thiol of holo-acyl carrier protein (ACP).

Polyketide biosynthesis

MCAT is also involved in bacterial polyketide biosynthesis. The enzyme MCAT together with an acyl carrier protein (ACP), and a polyketide synthase (PKS) and chain-length factor heterodimer, constitutes the minimal PKS of type II polyketides.