OPINIONS
Acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase – an attractive enzyme for biotechnology

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase catalyzes the carboxylation of acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA. This reaction constitutes

the first committed step of fatty acid synthesis in most organisms, while its product also serves as a universal precursor

for various other high-value compounds. The important regulatory and rate-limiting role of acetyl-CoA

carboxylase makes this enzyme a powerful tool in a variety of biotechnological and medical projects. This review

presents the current knowledge on structural and functional features of the enzyme and focuses on its divergent

applications. Different metabolic engineering attempts that lead to the production of various compounds, such

as fatty acids, polyketides or flavonoids, are presented and their advantages and limitations discussed. The importance

of studies on acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity for design and development of new herbicides and antibiotics

as well as for medical intervention is also highlighted.