Lipid Catabolism

Overview of Lipid Metabolism:

The major aspects of lipid metabolism are involved with Fatty Acid Oxidation to
produce energy or the synthesis of lipids which is called Lipogenesis. Lipid
metabolism is closely connected to the metabolism of carbohydrates which may be
converted to fats. This can be seen in the diagram on the left. The metabolism of both
is upset by diabetes mellitus.

The first step in lipid metabolism is the hydrolysis of the lipid in the cytoplasm to
produce glycerol and fatty acids.

Since glycerol is a three carbon alcohol, it is metabolized quite readily into an

intermediate in glycolysis, dihydroxyacetone phosphate. The last reaction is readily
reversible if glycerol is needed for the synthesis of a lipid.

The hydroxyacetone, obtained from glycerol is metabolized into one of two possible
compounds. Dihydroxyacetone may be converted into pyruvic acid through
the glycolysis pathway to make energy.

In addition, the dihydroxyacetone may also be used in gluconeogenesis to make

glucose-6-phosphate for glucose to the blood or glycogen depending upon what is
required at that time.

Fatty acids are oxidized to acetyl CoA in the mitochondria using the fatty acid spiral.
The acetyl CoA is then ultimately converted into ATP, CO2, and H2O using the citric
acid cycle and the electron transport chain.

Fatty acids are synthesized from carbohydrates and occasionally from proteins.
Actually, the carbohydrates and proteins have first been catabolized into acetyl CoA.
Depending upon the energy requirements, the acetyl CoA enters the citric acid cycle
or is used to synthesize fatty acids in a process known as LIPOGENESIS.

Energy Production Fatty Acid Oxidation:

"Visible" ATP:

In the fatty acid spiral, there is only one reaction which directly uses ATP
and that is in the initiating step. So this is a loss of ATP and must be
subtracted later.

A large amount of energy is released and restored as ATP during the

oxidation of fatty acids. The ATP is formed from both the fatty acid spiral
and the citric acid cycle.

Connections to Electron Transport and ATP:

One turn of the fatty acid spiral produces ATP from the interaction of the
coenzymes FAD (step 1) and NAD+ (step 3) with the electron transport
chain. Total ATP per turn of the fatty acid spiral is:

Electron Transport Diagram - (e.t.c.)

Step 1 - FAD into e.t.c. = 2 ATP

Step 3 - NAD+ into e.t.c. = 3 ATP
Total ATP per turn of spiral = 5 ATP

In order to calculate total ATP from the fatty acid spiral, you must calculate
the number of turns that the spiral makes. Remember that the number of
turns is found by subtracting one from the number of acetyl CoA produced.
See the graphic on the left bottom.

Example with Palmitic Acid = 16 carbons = 8 acetyl groups

Number of turns of fatty acid spiral = 8-1 = 7 turns

ATP from fatty acid spiral = 7 turns and 5 per turn = 35 ATP.

This would be a good time to remember that single ATP that was needed to
get the fatty acid spiral started. Therefore subtract it now.

NET ATP from Fatty Acid Spiral = 35 - 1 = 34 ATP

Review ATP Summary for Citric Acid Cycle:

The acetyl CoA produced from the fatty acid spiral enters the citric acid
cycle. When calculating ATP production, you have to show how many
acetyl CoA are produced from a given fatty acid as this controls how many
"turns" the citric acid cycle makes.

Starting with acetyl CoA, how many ATP are made using the citric acid
cycle? E.T.C = electron transport chain

 Step  ATP produced

7  1
+
Step 4 (NAD  to E.T.C.) 3
+
Step 6 (NAD  to E.T.C.)   3
+
Step10 (NAD  to E.T.C.)  3
Step 8 (FAD to E.T.C.) 2
 NET 12 ATP
ATP Summary for Palmitic Acid - Complete Metabolism:

The phrase "complete metabolism" means do reactions until you

end up with carbon dioxide and water. This also means to use
fatty acid spiral, citric acid cycle, and electron transport as
needed.

Starting with palmitic acid (16 carbons) how many ATP are

made using fatty acid spiral? This is a review of the above
panel E.T.C = electron transport chain

 ATP (used -) (produced

 Step
+)
Step 1 (FAD to E.T.C.) +2
+
Step 4 (NAD  to E.T.C.) +3
Total ATP   +5
 7 turns  7 x 5 = 35
initial step  -1
 NET  34 ATP
The fatty acid spiral ends with the production of 8 acetyl CoA
from the 16 carbon palmitic acid.

Starting with one acetyl CoA, how many ATP are made
using the citric acid cycle? Above panel gave the answer of 12
ATP per acetyl CoA.

E.T.C = electron transport chain

 Step  ATP produced

One acetyl CoA per turn
+12 ATP
C.A.C.
8 Acetyl CoA = 8 turns
8 x 12 = 96 ATP
C.A.C.
Fatty Acid Spiral 34 ATP
GRAND TOTAL  130 ATP