fig3

Figure 3. A simplified representation of FAO. Mitochondrial FAO is a catabolic process that breaks down long-chain FAs to produce acetyl-CoA. The long-chain FA requires the carnitine shuttle system to deliver long-chain FA from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria. CPT1 in the outer mitochondrial membrane controls the entry of FAs into the mitochondria. FA-CoA is metabolized to an acylcarnitine derivative; acylcarnitine is then reconverted to FA-CoA in the mitochondria, where it undergoes a series of dehydrogenation reactions to form acetyl-CoA. CoA then enters the TCA cycle to make ATP. LDs release FAs to form acyl-CoA. Created with BioRender.com. FAO: β-Fatty acid oxidation; FAs: fatty acids; CPT1: carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1; TCA: tricarboxylic acid cycle; ATP: adenosine triphosphate; LDs: lipid droplets.