Question

2-Explain how beta-oxidation and fatty acids synthesis are reciprocally regulated

Answer 1

Beta oxidation and fatty acid biosynthesis are simultaneously occuring biochemical events in the cells. These events are inseparably associated with the synthesis as well as oxidation and hence metabolism of the fatty acids.

Studies have shown that both of these processes involve a series of biochemical reactions which involve reduction-oxdiation, condensation-breakdown and phospho/-dephosphorylation reactions. It has also been shown that the redox couple one reaction generates seems to be the reversed oxidation reduction couple for the biochemical reaction of other process. For example, the the hydration and dehydration steps of beta oxidation and fatty acid biosynthesis are coupled to each other, thus generating a coupled reaction set.

Thus, this suggests that both of these processes are reciporcally regulated thus maintaining homeostasis in the body.