Coenzyme A metabolic pathway (CoA metabolic pathway)

The coenzyme A metabolic pathway encompasses the synthesis, utilization, and degradation of coenzyme A (CoA), a universal and essential cofactor that functions as an acyl group carrier and plays a central role in more than 100 anabolic and catabolic reactions. These include the citric acid cycle, fatty acid synthesis and β-oxidation, amino acid metabolism, cholesterol synthesis, and energy production. CoA metabolism is regulated mainly at the rate-limiting step catalyzed by pantothenate kinase (PANK, with several human isoforms), which senses intracellular CoA levels and adjusts flux accordingly[1][2][3][5][6]. Dysregulation of the pathway is implicated in human diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders, myopathies, cancer, and infection[5][6]. Defects in specific pathway enzymes cause rare metabolic diseases. Because this is a biochemical pathway rather than a single molecular target, it is not a direct therapeutic target, though key pathway enzymes can be targeted for research or drug development.

Other names

CoA biosynthesis pathwayCoenzyme A pathwayCoA metabolismPantothenate-CoA biosynthesis

Not applicable; pathway not a discrete druggable target, but inhibition or supplementation of pathway enzymes alters CoA levels[5][6]