Question

What makes malonyl CoA an important extender unit in both polyketide fatty acid biosynthesis?

Answer 1

Polyketide fatty acids are present in many organisms mostly filamentous bacterias. They are the major source of secondary metabolites which aids the organisms in sustainability.The synthesis of polyketide fatty acid is somewhat similar to common fatty acid biosynthesis.

Malonyl coA is formed from the carboxylation of acetyl coA.It binds to Acyl carrier protein and Malonyl-ACP is formed with the release of carbon dioxide. Malonyl coA plays a major role in fatty acid catabolism as it prevents the association between polyketide fatty acid and carnitine.This prevents the fatty acid from entering mitochondria where the oxidation and break down of fatty acid takes place.