Malonyl-CoA is formed in the first step of mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis (mtFASII) from malonic acid by malonyl-CoA synthetase (ACSF3).[2][3]
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.
Regulation
Malonyl-CoA is a highly regulated molecule in fatty acid synthesis; as such, it inhibits the rate-limiting step in beta-oxidation of fatty acids. Malonyl-CoA inhibits fatty acids from associating with carnitine by regulating the enzyme carnitine acyltransferase, thereby preventing them from entering the mitochondria, where fatty acid oxidation and degradation occur.
Related diseases
Malonyl-CoA plays a special role in the mitochondrial clearance of toxic malonic acid in the metabolic disorder combined malonic and methylmalonic aciduria (CMAMMA).[4] In CMAMMA due to ACSF3, malonyl-CoA synthetase is decreased, which can generate malonyl-CoA from malonic acid, which can then be converted to acetyl-CoA by malonyl-CoA decarboxylase.[2][4] In contrast, in CMAMMA due to malonyl-CoA decarboxylase deficiency, malonyl-CoA decarboxylase is decreased, which converts malonyl-CoA to acetyl-CoA.[4]