Beta-Oxidation of Fatty Acids (odd chain)

View the 3-D version of this pathway.

It should be noted, that all odd chain fatty acids can be oxidized using the same enzymes for even chain fatty acid beta-oxidation. However, unlike even chain fatty acids, odd chain fatty acids will yield ((n-3)/2) Acetyl-CoA and one three carbon acid, Propionyl-CoA, where n is the number of carbons in the odd chain fatty acid. Propionyl-CoA, is then further broken down using the pathway shown below.

Propionyl-CoA
Propionyl-CoA (3:0)
D-Methylmalonyl-CoA
(S)-D-Methylmalonyl-CoA
L-Methylmalonyl-CoA
(R)-L-Methylmalonyl-CoA
Succinyl-CoA
Succinyl-CoA

[The Metabolic Pathways of Biochemistry] - [Copyright © 1998 Karl J. Miller.]