Malonyl coenzyme A is a coenzyme A (CoA; ) derivative that is used in fatty acid and polyketide synthesis and in the transport of α-ketoglutarate across the mitochondrial membrane. Malonyl-CoA is formed by acetyl-CoA carboxylase-mediated carboxylation of acetyl-CoA . Fatty acid synthase catalyzes the NADPH-dependent condensation of malonyl-CoA and acetyl-CoA to produce palmitate. Proliferating human cancer cells upregulate this fatty acid synthesis pathway as a strategy for survival. High levels of malonyl-CoA, achieved through fatty acid synthase inhibition, have been proposed to contribute to cancer cell apoptosis. Manlonyl-CoA is exclusively used as the extender unit in the synthesis of bacterial aromatic polyketides.
