How Do You Spell PALMITOYLCARNITINE TRANSFERASE?

1. Palmitoylcarnitine transferase, also known as palmitoyl-CoA transferase, is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in lipid metabolism. It facilitates the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for β-oxidation, a process vital for energy production.

   This enzyme belongs to the family of acyltransferases, specifically the CoA transferases, and is found in various tissues of organisms, including humans. It catalyzes the transfer of the acyl group of palmitoylcarnitine (a long-chain fatty acid derivative) to coenzyme A (CoA) in the mitochondrial matrix. This reaction generates palmitoyl-CoA, a molecule that can readily enter the β-oxidation pathway.

   Palmitoylcarnitine transferase functions at the outer mitochondrial membrane, where it interacts with carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPTI), an enzyme located at the inner mitochondrial membrane. CPTI catalyzes the transformation of palmitoyl-CoA to palmitoylcarnitine. This newly formed palmitoylcarnitine is then shuttled to palmitoylcarnitine transferase, which carries out the reverse reaction, converting it back to palmitoyl-CoA.

   Through this coordinated action between CPTI and palmitoylcarnitine transferase, the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria is efficiently regulated. This enzymatic system is crucial for the release of energy from fatty acids, ensuring a constant supply of ATP, the primary cellular energy currency. Dysfunctions or deficiencies of palmitoylcarnitine transferase can lead to metabolic disorders, such as fatty acid oxidation disorders, which can result in severe complications affecting

Common Misspellings for PALMITOYLCARNITINE TRANSFERASE

The etymology of the word "Palmitoylcarnitine Transferase" can be broken down as follows:

1. Palmitoyl: It is derived from the term "palmitic acid", which refers to a saturated fatty acid. "Palmitic" comes from the Latin word "palma", meaning palm, as it was originally derived from palm oil.

2. Carnitine: It stems from the Latin word "carnis", meaning flesh, as it was first found in meat. Carnitine is a compound that plays a crucial role in the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy production.

3. Transferase: It is a suffix that is commonly used in enzymology to indicate the type of enzyme. In this case, "transferase" refers to an enzyme involved in the transfer of a chemical group, in this instance, the transfer of a palmitoyl group.