Acylcarnitines belong to the group of fatty esters within the fatty acyls. The carboxyl group of the acylcarnitine fatty acid component is linked to an L-carnitine molecule. The hydrocarbon chain of acylcarnitines can be of variable length, and may further encompass multiple double bonds, acyl groups, and oxygen containing substituents.
Acylcarnitines are critical to the oxidative metabolism of fatty acids and thus for energy metabolism. Its most important biological function is to transport free fatty acids into the mitochondria. Mitochondrial membrane proteins attach carnitine to a fatty acid to build an acylcarnitine, which is then transported into the mitochondrium for β-oxidation. Acylcarnitines can cross the blood-brain barrier and impact brain neurotransmitters.
Here you can read more about the analysis of acylcarnitines performed at Lipotype:
#FattyAcyls #lipid #lipidomics #MassSpectrometry #FattyEsters #acylcarnitine
