Question

Explain why fatty acid synthase has multiple domains. What is the function of the acyl carrier protein in this complex? How is it attached to CoA?

Answer 1

Fatty acid synthase has multiple domains to hand over the substrate from one functional domain to other. The fatty acid synthase has following domains with their specific functions:

1. MAT which charges afety coA by adding a CO2 to make malonyl CoA.

2. KS is A condensing enzyme which is responsible for the first step of synthesis.

3. KR is ketoacetyl reductase which carries out reduction step of synthesis.

4. DH is hydroxyacyl dehydratase which carries out dehydration step of synthesis.

5. ER is enoyl reductase which carries out second step of synthesis.

6. CAP then hands off the newly formed chain to KS, and CAP picks up another malonyl Co A.

The acyl carrier protein holds the carbon fragment in fatty acid synthesis. It is attached to Co A by biotin.