Acyl-CoA oxidase (ACOX)

Acyl-CoA oxidase is a peroxisomal flavoprotein and the first committed enzyme in peroxisomal β-oxidation, responsible for the desaturation of acyl-CoA substrates, transferring electrons to FAD and then to molecular oxygen to form hydrogen peroxide. This distinguishes it from acyl-CoA dehydrogenase in mitochondria, which routes electrons to the electron transport chain. Subtypes with defined substrate specificities exist: e.g., ACOX1 for straight-chain fatty acids, ACOX2 for branched-chain fatty acids, and ACOX3 for bile acid CoA derivatives. Deficiency or dysfunction causes severe metabolic and neurologic disease, particularly due to VLCFA accumulation and secondary inflammation/degeneration in nervous tissue. The enzyme has a well-resolved crystal structure and is evolutionarily conserved among eukaryotes.

Other names

fatty acyl-CoA oxidaseacyl coenzyme A oxidasefatty acyl-coenzyme A oxidaseacyl-CoA:oxygen 2-oxidoreductase

Drugs (notably experimental) that influence Acyl-CoA oxidase typically act by modulation of gene expression (e.g., PPAR agonists), enzyme inhibition or activation, or by affecting peroxisomal function in general.