Fatty Acid β-Oxidation Pathway (FAO)

The fatty acid β-oxidation pathway is a central metabolic process that catabolizes fatty acids into acetyl-CoA, NADH, and FADH₂. This process occurs primarily in the mitochondria and provides a major source of ATP, especially in tissues like heart and skeletal muscle. The pathway consists of four recurring enzymatic steps: dehydrogenation, hydration, second dehydrogenation, and thiolytic cleavage. Long-chain fatty acids require activation and transport into the mitochondria via the carnitine shuttle. The pathway is tightly regulated at multiple levels, including entry into the cell and mitochondrial entry. Defects in enzymes involved can lead to metabolic disorders like MCADD. Drugs that target FAO primarily modulate fatty acid transport into mitochondria. Complete oxidation of palmitate yields ~129 ATP.

Other names

Beta-OxidationFatty Acid Oxidationβ-Oxidation Pathway

Inhibition of fatty acid transport into mitochondria (e.g., CPT1 inhibition), modulation of enzyme activity within the pathway.