Pantothenate kinase 3 (PANK3)

Pantothenate kinase 3 is an enzyme that catalyzes the first, rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of coenzyme A (CoA) by phosphorylating pantothenate (vitamin B5) to form 4'-phosphopantothenate using ATP. It is one of four pantothenate kinase isoforms in humans and is most abundantly expressed in the liver. By regulating the cellular levels of CoA, pantothenate kinase 3 plays a critical role in metabolic processes including fatty acid oxidation, the citric acid cycle, and amino acid metabolism. Genetic defects in related pathways are associated with neurodegenerative disorders, although disease association with PANK3 specifically is less direct than for PANK2[1][3][6][7].

Other names

PANK3Pantothenate kinase type II isoform 3

Inhibitors or modulators would alter CoA biosynthesis by affecting the phosphorylation of pantothenate, thereby influencing metabolic pathways that depend on CoA availability[1][3][7].