Molecular biology of acetyl-CoA metabolism

We have characterized the expression of potential acetyl-CoA-generating gen es (acetyl-CoA synthetase, pyruvate decarboxylase, acetaldehyde dehydrogena se, plastidic pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and ATP-citrate lyase), and co mpared these with the expression of acetyl-CoA-metabolizing genes (heterome ric and homomeric acetyl-CoA carboxylase). These comparisons have led to th e development of testable hypotheses as to how distinct pools of acetyl-CoA are generated and metabolized. These hypotheses are being tested by combin ed biochemical, genetic and molecular biological experiments, which is prov iding insights into how acetyl-CoA metabolism is regulated.