Acyl-CoA synthetase medium chain family member 1 (ACSM1)

Acyl-CoA synthetase medium chain family member 1 (ACSM1) is a mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes the activation of medium-chain fatty acids and certain carboxylate-containing xenobiotics, such as benzoate, by conjugating them to coenzyme A (CoA) in an ATP- or GTP-dependent reaction[4][5][7]. This process produces acyl-CoA esters, which are essential intermediates for subsequent metabolic pathways, including β-oxidation of fatty acids and detoxification of xenobiotics. ACSM1 also demonstrates in vitro activity with lipoic acid, although it lacks enantiomeric specificity and is not established as a physiological enzyme for lipoate metabolism[2]. The gene is primarily expressed in the mitochondria and plays a critical role in energy production from fatty acids[4][5]. Deficiencies or dysregulation of ACSM1 have been associated with certain cancers and may have broader roles in mitochondrial metabolic disorders, but its direct targeting by drugs or clinical use as a biomarker is not established in current literature[5][7].

Other names

MACS1BUCS1Xenobiotic/medium-chain fatty acid-CoA ligase HXM-BAcyl-coenzyme A synthetase ACSM1, mitochondrialMiddle-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 1Butyryl-coenzyme A synthetase 1Lipoate-activating enzymeBenzoate--CoA ligaseButyrate--CoA ligase 1Butyryl Coenzyme A synthetase 1

Drugs/substrates interact by providing acyl substrates or modulating fatty acid metabolism; ACSM1 catalyzes the conjugation of CoA to fatty acids/xenobiotics, enabling their metabolic breakdown or utilization. The physiologic activation of lipoate is controversial and not established as a drug mechanism.