What is a Coenzyme A, and Why is It Vital for Metabolism?
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3 min read
Discovered in 1946 by biochemist Fritz Lipmann, coenzyme A (CoA) is a crucial molecule present in all living cells. This essential cofactor plays a fundamental role in a vast number of metabolic processes, including the synthesis and oxidation of fatty acids, the breakdown of carbohydrates, and the operation of the citric acid cycle. Without coenzyme A, the cellular machinery responsible for energy production and the creation of vital biomolecules would cease to function correctly.