An acetoacetyl is a radical derived from acetoacetic acid.
The liver lacks the 3-ketoacyl CoA transferase enzyme. This enzyme is required to convert acetoacetate to acetoacetyl-CoA . This is an essential step in using ketone bodies as fuel.
Acetyl CoA is converted into ketone bodies through a process called ketogenesis, which occurs in the liver. During this process, acetyl CoA molecules are condensed to form acetoacetyl CoA, which is then converted into ketone bodies such as acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate. These ketone bodies can be used as an alternative fuel source by the body, particularly during times of fasting or low carbohydrate intake.
Prolonged starvation, the liver will release glycogen in response to the glucagon secreted from the pancreas as a result of low blood glucose level. Glucagon synthesis is inhibited by glycogen by triggering cyclic AMP. In the meantime, glucose is synthesised by the hydrolysis of glucose 6-phosphate derived from glycogen. The glucose is released from the liver into the blood to increase its level of glucose.The lipids are mobilised from adipose tissues as free fatty acids to supply energy for the muscle tissues. This involves the preparation of malonyl CoA from acetyl CoA and Co2 by acetyl CoA carboxylase. Carbons are then added in pairs to a growing fatty acyl chain in a four-step sequence by fatty acid synthase. The acetyl CoA formed can then be shunted to ketone bodies in the liver for energy production. 2 acetyl CoA are joined to release 1 CoA and 1 acetoacetyl CoA. The acetoacetyl CoA is then converted into acetoacetate where it can futher decompose into acetone or reduced into beta-hydroxybutyrate. Both acetone and beta-hydroxybutyrate are ketones that can be exported to muscle tissues to provide them with energy.
Phenylalanine, is catabolized to fumarate and acetoacetate and is therefore ketogenic and glucogenic. Also threonine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tyrosine can be either ketogenic or glucogenic.