A general introduction to the biochemistry of mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation.
Over the years, the mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) pathway has been characterised at the biochemical level as well as the molecular biological level. FAO plays a pivotal role in energy homoeostasis, but it competes with glucose as the primary oxidative substrate. The mechanisms behind this so-called glucose-fatty acid cycle operate at the hormonal, transcriptional and biochemical levels. Inherited defects for most of the FAO enzymes have been identified and characterised and are currently included in neonatal screening programmes. Symptoms range from hypoketotic hypoglycaemia to skeletal and cardiac myopathies. The pathophysiology of these diseases is still not completely understood, hampering optimal treatment. Studies of patients and mouse models will contribute to our understanding of the pathogenesis and will ultimately lead to better treatment.
Houten
Sander Michel
SM
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. s.m.houten@amc.uva.nl
Wanders
Ronald J A
RJ
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005838:Genotype; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008052:Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology*; D028361:Mitochondrial Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010641:Phenotype
D005227:Fatty Acids