Which water-soluble vitamin forms part of coenzyme A and is therefore required for the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate, beta-oxidation of fatty acids, and acetylation reactions?

• A Pantothenic acid ✓
• B Niacin
• C Lipoic acid
• D Folic acid

Explanation

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is incorporated into coenzyme A through its reactive sulfhydryl group, which carries acyl groups as thioesters. It is thus essential for pyruvate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase function via citrate shuttle intermediates, and fatty acid synthesis through the phosphopantetheine arm of the acyl carrier protein. Lipoic acid is also a PDH cofactor but is not a vitamin and is not part of CoA. Niacin forms NAD and NADP.

Reference: Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry, 32nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.