Question

Can acetyl-CoA be converted to ketone bodies?

Answer 1

Acetyl-CoA and ketone bodies:

1. Acetyl-CoA is converted to acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetone- these three molecules are called ketone bodies. The formation of ketone bodies is called ketogenesis.
2. Acetyl-CoA is first converted to acetoacetyl-CoA by the enzyme acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase.
3. Then acetoacetyl-CoA is converted to beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) by the enzyme HMG-CoA synthase.
4. HMG-CoA is converted to acetoacetate by HMG-CoA lyase.
5. Acetoacetate is then reversibly reduced to form beta-hydroxybutyrate by B-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and also decarboxylated by acetoacetate decarboxylase to produce acetone.
6. So, acetyl-CoA is converted to ketone bodies through the process of ketogenesis.