Acyl-CoA thioesterase 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ACOT1 gene.[5]
Structure
The ACOT1 gene is located on the 14th chromosome, with its specific localization being 14q24.3. It contains 7 exons.[5]
The protein encoded by this gene contains 410 amino acids, and forms a homodimer with another chain.[6] The protein contains a StAR-related transfer domain, which is a domain responsible for binding to lipids. There are 4 known ligands that bind to this homodimer: polyethylene glycol, chlorine, glycerol, and a form of TCEP.[7]
Function
The protein encoded by the ACOT1 gene is part of a family of Acyl-CoAthioesterases, which catalyze the hydrolysis of various Coenzyme A esters of various molecules to the free acid plus CoA. These enzymes have also been referred to in the literature as acyl-CoA hydrolases, acyl-CoA thioester hydrolases, and palmitoyl-CoA hydrolases. The reaction carried out by these enzymes is as follows:
CoA ester + H2O → free acid + coenzyme A
These enzymes use the same substrates as long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases, but have a unique purpose in that they generate the free acid and CoA, as opposed to long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases, which ligate fatty acids to CoA, to produce the CoA ester.[8] The role of the ACOT- family of enzymes is not well understood; however, it has been suggested that they play a crucial role in regulating the intracellular levels of CoA esters, Coenzyme A, and free fatty acids. Recent studies have shown that Acyl-CoA esters have many more functions than simply an energy source. These functions include allosteric regulation of enzymes such as acetyl-CoA carboxylase,[9]hexokinase IV,[10] and the citrate condensing enzyme. Long-chain acyl-CoAs also regulate opening of ATP-sensitive potassium channels and activation of Calcium ATPases, thereby regulating insulin secretion.[11] A number of other cellular events are also mediated via acyl-CoAs, for example signal transduction through protein kinase C, inhibition of retinoic acid-induced apoptosis, and involvement in budding and fusion of the endomembrane system.[12][13][14] Acyl-CoAs also mediate protein targeting to various membranes and regulation of G proteinα subunits, because they are substrates for protein acylation.[15] In the mitochondria, acyl-CoA esters are involved in the acylation of mitochondrial NAD+ dependent dehydrogenases; because these enzymes are responsible for amino acid catabolism, this acylation renders the whole process inactive. This mechanism may provide metabolic crosstalk and act to regulate the NADH/NAD+ ratio in order to maintain optimal mitochondrial beta oxidation of fatty acids.[16] The role of CoA esters in lipid metabolism and numerous other intracellular processes are well defined, and thus it is hypothesized that ACOT- enzymes play a role in modulating the processes these metabolites are involved in.[17]
^Ogiwara H, Tanabe T, Nikawa J, Numa S (Aug 1978). "Inhibition of rat-liver acetyl-coenzyme-A carboxylase by palmitoyl-coenzyme A. Formation of equimolar enzyme-inhibitor complex". European Journal of Biochemistry. 89 (1): 33–41. doi:10.1111/j.1432-1033.1978.tb20893.x. PMID29756.
^Srere PA (Dec 1965). "Palmityl-coenzyme A inhibition of the citrate-condensing enzyme". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Lipids and Lipid Metabolism. 106 (3): 445–55. doi:10.1016/0005-2760(65)90061-5. PMID5881327.
^Hunt MC, Alexson SE (Mar 2002). "The role Acyl-CoA thioesterases play in mediating intracellular lipid metabolism". Progress in Lipid Research. 41 (2): 99–130. doi:10.1016/s0163-7827(01)00017-0. PMID11755680.
