What is the Role of CPT II in Cellular Metabolism?
CPT II plays a critical role in the β-oxidation pathway. It catalyzes the conversion of acyl-carnitine to acyl-CoA, releasing free carnitine. This step is vital for the subsequent breakdown of fatty acids into acetyl-CoA, which enters the citric acid cycle to produce ATP. In histological studies, alterations in CPT II activity can be associated with metabolic disorders and can be visualized in tissues using enzyme histochemistry techniques.
