Britannica AI Icon

acetyl coenzyme A

chemical compound
Also known as: acetyl-CoA, activated acetate

Quick Summary

Acetyl coenzyme A, also known as acetyl-CoA, is a crucial compound in metabolism. It is formed as an intermediate in metabolic pathways and plays an active role as a coenzyme in biological acetylations.12

Acetyl-CoA is central to the breakdown of fuel molecules like glucose, fatty acids, and some amino acids. Before these molecules can enter the tricarboxylic acid cycle, they are degraded into this two-carbon compound. Within the TCA cycle, acetyl-CoA is converted into carbon dioxide and energy.3

Furthermore, acetyl-CoA is a building block for synthesizing lipids, including fatty acids. The carbon atoms in fatty acids are derived from the acetyl-CoA produced during the breakdown of carbohydrates and other fatty acids.4

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.