Long-chain fatty acids are involved in all aspects of cellular structure and function. For controlling amounts of fatty acids, cells are endowed with two acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) systems. ACC-alpha is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biogenesis of long-chain fatty acids, and ACC-beta is believed to control mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. These two isoforms of ACC control the amount of fatty acids in the cells. Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of ACC-alpha cause enzyme inactivation and activation, respectively, and serve as the enzyme's short-term regulatory mechanism. Covalently modified enzymes become more sensitive toward cellular metabolites. In addition, many hormones and nutrients affect gene expression. The gene products formed are heterogeneous and tissue specific. The ACC-beta gene is located on human chromosome 12; the cDNA for this gene has just been cloned. The gene for the alpha-isoform is located on human chromosome 17. The catalytic core of the beta-isoform is homologous to that of the alpha-isoform, except for an additional peptide of about 150 amino acids at the N terminus. This extra peptide sequence makes the beta-form about 10,000 daltons larger, and it is thought to be involved in the unique role that has been assigned to this enzyme. The detailed control mechanisms for the beta-isoform are not known.

Regulation of mammalian acetyl-coenzyme a carboxylase

Role of calcium in the hormonal regulation of liver metabolism

Identification of an isozymic form of acetyl-CoA carboxylase.

Ruminant milk fat is of unique composition among terrestrial mammals, due to its great diversity of component fatty acids. The diversity arises from the effects of ruminal biohydrogenation on dietary unsaturated fatty acids and the range of fatty acids synthesized de novo in the mammary gland.

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D B Martin

Papers

Regulation of hepatic acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase by insulin and glucagon.