Carnitine O-palmitoyltransferase system (CPT system) (CPT system)

The carnitine O-palmitoyltransferase (CPT) system is a multi-component enzyme complex essential for the mitochondrial beta-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids (StatPearls, PMID: 30020613). It comprises carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), located on the outer mitochondrial membrane, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT2), situated on the inner mitochondrial membrane, working in conjunction with the carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase (CACT) (UniProt P50416, P23786). CPT1 serves as the rate-limiting step of the pathway, converting long-chain acyl-CoAs into acylcarnitines for transport into the mitochondrial matrix (StatPearls, PMID: 30020613). This system is a key regulator of metabolic flexibility, allowing cells to switch between lipid and carbohydrate fuels based on energy availability and hormonal signals (PMID: 21834967). Pathological alterations in the CPT system are linked to metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, as well as the metabolic reprogramming observed in many cancers (PMID: 31507451). Therapeutic strategies often target CPT1 with inhibitors like etomoxir or perhexiline to reduce fatty acid oxidation, which can improve insulin sensitivity or deprive cancer cells of a critical energy source (PubChem CID 123628, 4743).

Other names

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase complexCPT1/CPT2 systemCarnitine shuttleCarnitine acyltransferase system

Inhibition of CPT1 to reduce mitochondrial fatty acid uptake and promote glucose oxidation.