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AAT Bioquest

Where does fatty acid synthesis occur?

Posted July 7, 2022


Answer

Fatty acid synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This is an anabolic biological process that is catalyzed by the enzyme fatty acid synthase, a multi-enzyme complex found in the cytoplasm. During this process fatty acids are formed from acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) and NADPH molecules. 

Additional resources

Regulation of energy metabolism by long-chain fatty acids

Screen Quest™ Fluorimetric Fatty Acid Uptake Assay Kit