Lecture on Fatty Acid Oxidation in Biochemistry

Introduction

• The importance of fatty acid oxidation
• Generally, beta oxidation is predominant

Chemistry of Fatty Acids

• Counting of fatty acids starts from the carboxyl group
• The methyl end is referred to as omega, omega-2, omega-3, etc.

Types of Oxidation

• Beta Oxidation

  • The most common process
  • Occurs in mitochondria
  • Division between alpha and beta carbons

• Other Oxidation Types

  • Alpha oxidation (in endoplasmic reticulum)
  • Omega oxidation (in endoplasmic reticulum and microsomes)
  • Oxidation of odd chain and unsaturated fatty acids
  • Oxidation of very long chain fatty acids

Process of Beta Oxidation

• Three main stages:
  1. Activation
     • Activating fatty acids and converting them to acyl coenzyme A
     • Uses ATP
  2. Transport
     • Across the inner mitochondrial membrane
     • Uses the carnitine shuttle system
  3. Oxidation
     • Oxidation of fatty acids in four stages
       • Oxidation, hydration, reoxidation, and cleavage

Energetics

• Energy production from beta oxidation
  • Example: 106 ATP from palmitic acid
  • 120 ATP from stearic acid

Regulation

• Controlled by the carnitine shuttle system
• Preference for fatty acid synthesis in well-fed state
  • Formation of malonyl coenzyme A
  • Promotion of beta oxidation in fasting state

Through these points, the lecture explained various aspects of fatty acid oxidation.