malonyl CoA

The coenzyme A derivative of the dicarboxylic acid malonic acid. It is synthesized from acetyl CoA and bicarbonate in a reaction catalysed by the enzyme acetyl CoA carboxylase. Malonyl CoA provides the carbons for the synthesis of fatty acids - the malonyl moiety reacts with acyl carrier protein (ACP) to form *malonyl ACP , which in turn combines with the growing fatty acid molecules, with elimination of carbon dioxide, to add two more carbons to the chain.