ACAA2
ACAA2 (acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2, also known as DSAEC) is the mitochondrial 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase that catalyses the final step of fatty acid beta-oxidation. It cleaves 3-oxoacyl-CoAs into acetyl-CoA and a fatty acyl-CoA shortened by two carbons. Browse Assay Genie's current range of ACAA2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
ACAA2 is one of the enzymes that catalyse the last step of the mitochondrial beta-oxidation pathway, an aerobic process that breaks fatty acids down into acetyl-CoA for energy production. Using free coenzyme A, it performs the thiolytic cleavage of medium- to long-chain unbranched 3-oxoacyl-CoAs, releasing acetyl-CoA and a fatty acyl-CoA that is two carbon atoms shorter.
The enzyme also catalyses the condensation of two acetyl-CoA molecules into acetoacetyl-CoA, and could therefore be involved in the production of ketone bodies. It additionally shows hydrolase activity on various fatty acyl-CoAs, which could make it responsible for the production of acetate in a side reaction to beta-oxidation. Reported activity also includes abolishing BNIP3-mediated apoptosis and mitochondrial damage.
The ACAA2 gene encodes a protein that belongs to the thiolase-like superfamily and the thiolase family. Unlike most mitochondrial matrix proteins, it contains a non-cleavable amino-terminal targeting signal. HGNC places the gene in the thioester hydrolases and acyltransferases groups, and its previous name was acetyl-Coenzyme A acyltransferase 2. Mouse and rat each have an orthologous Acaa2 gene, which allows the enzyme to be studied in common rodent models of lipid metabolism.
ACAA2 catalyses the last step of the mitochondrial beta-oxidation spiral, making it a direct readout of fatty acid breakdown into acetyl-CoA.
The enzyme supports energy production from fats through an aerobic pathway, so it is relevant to studies of mitochondrial function.
ACAA2 condenses two acetyl-CoA molecules into acetoacetyl-CoA and could be involved in ketone body production.
ACAA2 abolishes BNIP3-mediated apoptosis and mitochondrial damage, linking lipid metabolism to cell death regulation.
ACAA2 is a mitochondrial thiolase that catalyses the last step of fatty acid beta-oxidation. With free coenzyme A it cleaves medium- to long-chain 3-oxoacyl-CoAs into acetyl-CoA and an acyl-CoA two carbons shorter. It can also condense two acetyl-CoA molecules into acetoacetyl-CoA.
The HGNC name is acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2, previously acetyl-Coenzyme A acyltransferase 2. UniProt calls the protein 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase, mitochondrial, and the gene has the alias DSAEC. The enzyme is classified as EC 2.3.1.16.
Yes. Mouse and rat both have an orthologue named Acaa2, so the enzyme can be studied in rodent models of fatty acid metabolism. Researchers should check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other thiolases, beta-oxidation enzymes and mitochondrial metabolism targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P42765; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.