Fatty Acid Transport into Mitochondria

Fatty acid transport into mitochondria is a critical biological process that enables the oxidation of long-chain fatty acids for energy production. This process is essential for cellular metabolism, particularly in tissues with high energy demands such as heart, muscle, and liver. The carnitine shuttle, comprising CPT-I, CAC, and CPT-II, facilitates this transport. Malonyl-CoA regulates CPT-I, and tissue-specific isoforms exist. Disruptions can cause metabolic disorders.

Other names

Carnitine Shuttle SystemFatty Acyl-CoA TransportMitochondrial Fatty Acid Import

The carnitine shuttle system facilitates the transport of long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane for beta-oxidation. CPT-I converts fatty acyl-CoA to fatty acyl-carnitine, which is then transported into the mitochondria by CAC. CPT-II reconverts fatty acyl-carnitine back to fatty acyl-CoA within the mitochondrial matrix.