Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 24: Problem 14

Write a suitable mechanism for the HMG-CoA synthase reaction. What is the chemistry that drives this condensation reaction?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The HMG-CoA synthase reaction involves the condensation of acetyl-CoA and acetoacetyl-CoA to form 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA), orchestrated by the HMG-CoA synthase enzyme. The reaction is driven by the energy released from the breaking of the high-energy thioester bond in acetyl-CoA.

Step by step solution

01

Identification of Molecules

HMG-CoA synthase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction between acetyl-CoA and acetoacetyl-CoA to form 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA). This step is the second step in the mevalonate pathway.
02

Reaction Mechanism Breakdown

\[ \text{Acetyl-CoA} + \text{Acetoacetyl-CoA} \xrightarrow[\text{HMG-CoA synthase}]{} \text{HMG-CoA} \] The reaction begins with the acetyl group of acetyl-CoA being transferred to the thiol group of the HMG-CoA synthase enzyme. The thioester bond in acetyl-CoA makes it reactive, allowing for easy transfer. A carbon-carbon bond is then formed between the transferred acetyl group and the acetoacetyl-CoA, resulting in the formation of HMG-CoA.
03

Chemistry that Drives the Reaction (Condensation)

This is a condensation reaction, which typically involves the combination of two molecules to produce a larger molecule alongside the loss of a small molecule (such as water). In this case, the reaction is driven by the release of energy from breaking the high-energy thioester bond in the acetyl-CoA molecule and forming a more thermodynamically stable bond in the product.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Write a balanced, stoichiometric reaction for the synthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine from glycerol, fatty acyl-CoA, and ethanolamine. Make an estimate of the \(\Delta G^{\circ}\), for the overall process.

Write a suitable reaction mechanism for the \(\beta\) -ketoacyl-ACP synthase, showing how the involvement of malonyl-CoA drives this reaction forward.

Determine the number of ATP equivalents needed to form palmitic acid from acetyl-CoA. (Assume for this calculation that each NADPH is worth 3.5 ATPs.

Why is the involvement of FAD important in the conversion of stearic acid to oleic acid?

Trace each of the carbon atoms of mevalonate through the synthesis of cholesterol, and determine the source (that is, the position in the mevalonate structure) of each carbon in the final structure.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Chemical Reactions

Read Explanation

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation

Making Measurements

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Nuclear Chemistry

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free