Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I is assumed to be rate limiting for β-oxidation in all tissues. However, the concentration of malonyl-CoA in heart and muscle is high and is enough to completely inhibit β-oxidation if this assumption is correct. In this review, we consider whether: (i) there is a malonyl-CoA-insensitive carnitine palmitoyltransferase I activity; (ii) the measured malonyl-CoA concentration in the heart is physiologically meaningful; and (iii) carnitine palmitoyltransferase I is rate-limiting for β-oxidation in the heart.

Keywords:
flux control, heart, malonyl-CoA, outer membrane, CPT I, outer-membrane carnitine palmitoyl transferase
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© 2001 Biochemical Society
2001
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