Carnitine Acetyltransferase from pigeon breast muscle

Research area: Cell Signaling

Carnitine Acetyltransferase from pigeon breast muscle has been used in enzymatic assays.

Carnitine acetyltransferase maintains the cellular and mitochondrial levels of acetyl-CoA, a key cofactor required for oxidative metabolism, by catalyzing an equilibrium between acetyl-CoA and acetyl-L-carnitine, a storage form of activated acetate. Carnitine acetyltransferase also maintains the pool of acetyl-CoA required for neuronal and nonneuronal acetylcholine production.

Carnitine acyltransferases (CrAT) are enzymes that contribute to the reversible conversion of acetyl-CoA and carnitine into acetylcarnitine and free CoA. This enzymatic process plays a vital role in the energy metabolism of eukaryotes by promoting the β-oxidation of fatty acids. CrAT-mediated acetyl carnitine production and efflux help maintain a balance between acetyl-CoA and acetyl carnitine in the mitochondria, regenerate free CoA, and alleviate the product inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), which is a key enzyme in glucose oxidation. This process promotes glucose homeostasis and helps maintain optimal cellular energy metabolism. Carnitine acetyltransferase activity also aids in the progression of the cell cycle from G1 to S phase. carnitine acetyltransferase deficiency also leads to the development of various neurological disorders including Alzheimer′s disease, ataxic encephalopathy, and several vascular diseases.

Crystalline suspension in 3.2 M (NH₄)₂SO₄ solution, 50 mM potassium phosphate, 1 mM dithiothreitol, pH 7.0

Protein determined by biuret.

One unit will convert 1.0 μmole of acetyl-L-carnitine and CoA to L-carnitine and acetyl-CoA per min at pH 8.0 at 25 °C.