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Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Quantification of Coenzyme A in Cells and Tissues
Published on: September 27, 2019
Acetyl coenzyme A: a central metabolite and second messenger
Federico Pietrocola1, Lorenzo Galluzzi2, José Manuel Bravo-San Pedro2
1Equipe 11 labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, 75006 Paris, France; INSERM U1138, 75006 Paris, France; Université Paris Descartes/Paris V, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France; Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris VI, 75006 Paris, France; Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, 94805 Villejuif, France.
Acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is a key metabolic molecule. It regulates cellular energy, enzyme activity, and gene expression, balancing catabolism and anabolism.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Metabolism
Background:
- Acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is a crucial intermediate in cellular metabolism.
- Its concentration across cellular compartments indicates the cell's energetic status.
- Acetyl-CoA influences enzyme activity and protein acetylation, impacting cellular functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the multifaceted roles of acetyl-CoA in cellular processes.
- To highlight acetyl-CoA's function as both a metabolic intermediate and a signaling molecule.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of metabolic pathways.
- Enzyme kinetics studies.
- Proteomic analysis of protein acetylation.
- Epigenetic regulatory mechanism investigation.
Main Results:
- Acetyl-CoA abundance correlates with cellular energy levels.
- Acetyl-CoA allosterically modulates enzyme activity and substrate availability.
- Protein acetylation, including histone modification, is controlled by acetyl-CoA.
- Acetyl-CoA regulates energy metabolism, mitosis, and autophagy.
Conclusions:
- Acetyl-CoA is a central regulator of cellular metabolism and epigenetics.
- It acts as a critical link between metabolic state and cellular function.
- Acetyl-CoA dictates the balance between catabolic and anabolic processes.
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