Acylcarnitine
= Acylcarnitine
An <acylcarnitine> is an <ester> of <carnitine> carrying an <acyl group>. In fatty-acid metabolism, transfer between <acyl-CoA> and <acylcarnitine> forms part of the system that moves long-chain acyl units into <mitochondria>.
The acyl unit is subsequently returned to <coenzyme A> for further <metabolism>. The carrier changes during transport; the <fatty acid> chain need not be broken into smaller pieces to cross the membrane.