What are the Key Steps in the Beta Oxidation Pathway?
The beta oxidation pathway consists of several key steps, which can be summarized as follows:
1. Activation of Fatty Acids: Fatty acids are activated in the cytoplasm by being converted to fatty acyl-CoA through the action of the enzyme acyl-CoA synthetase. 2. Transport into Mitochondria: The fatty acyl-CoA is transported into the mitochondria via the carnitine shuttle. 3. Beta Oxidation Cycle: Inside the mitochondria, the fatty acyl-CoA undergoes a series of reactions, including dehydrogenation, hydration, another dehydrogenation, and thiolysis. These reactions are catalyzed by a series of enzymes, including acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, enoyl-CoA hydratase, hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and thiolase.
