Answer to Question #204333 in Biology for mbali

Question

Ketone bodies are exported from the liver for use by other tissues. Explain the enzymatic

properties of the liver that contributes to its special ability to export these compounds. (

Answer 1

A major determinant of the pathway taken by acetyl-CoA in liver mitochondria is the availability of oxaloacetate to initiate entry of acetyl-CoA

The first step in formation of acetoacetate in the liver is the enzymatic condensation of two molecules of acetyl-CoA, catalyzed by thiolase; this is simply the reversal of the last step of β oxidation. The acetoacetyl-CoA then condenses with acetyl-CoA to form β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA), which is cleaved to free acetoacetate and acetyl-CoA. into the citric acid cycle. Under some circumstances (such as starvation) oxaloacetate is drawn out of the citric acid cycle for use in synthesizing glucose. When the oxaloacetate concentration is very low, little acetyl-CoA enters the cycle, and ketone body formation is favored. The production and export of ketone bodies from the liver to extrahepatic tissues allows continued oxidation of fatty acids in the liver when acetyl-CoA is not being oxidized via the citric acid cycle.