Which one of the following cofactors must be utilized during the conversion of acetyl CoA to malonyl CoA?
High-Yield Explanation
The key enzymatic step of fatty acid synthesis is the carboxylation of acetyl CoA to form malonyl CoA. The carboxyl of biotin is covalently attached to an e-amino acid group of a lysine residue of acetyl CoA carboxylase. The reaction occurs in two stages. In the first step, a carboxybiotin is formed: HCO3- + biotin-enzyme + ATP - CO2-biotin-enzyme + ADP + Pi In the second step, the CO2 is transferred to acetyl CoA to produce malonyl CoA: CO2-biotin-enzyme + acetyl CoA -- malonyl CoA + biotin-enzyme None of the other cofactors listed are involved in this reaction. Ref:Bender D.A. (2011). Chapter 44. Micronutrients: Vitamins & Minerals. In D.A. Bender, K.M. Botham, P.A. Weil, P.J. Kennelly, R.K. Murray, V.W. Rodwell (Eds),Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry, 29e.