What is "coenzyme a"

coenzyme A \co*en"zyme A`\ (k[-o]*[e^]n"z[imac]m [=a]`), (Biochem.) a coenzyme ( C21H36N7O16P3S) that participates in the transfer of acetyl groups in biochemical reactions; -- abbreviated CoA. It contains adenosine, phosphate, pantothenic acid and cysteamine groups. The acetyl group to be transferred during biosynthesis is temporarily attached to the free sulhydryl of the cysteamine group to form a thioester, in which state it is called acetyl coenzyme A. The strength of a preparation of coenzyme A may be expressed by the Lippman unit; one milligram of CoA contains 413 Lippman units.

n. (context coenzyme English) A coenzyme, formed from pantothenic acid and adenosine triphosphate, that is necessary for fatty acid synthesis and metabolism.

n. a coenzyme present in all living cells; essential to metabolism of carbohydrates and fats and some amino acids

Coenzyme A (CoA, CoASH, or HSCoA) is a coenzyme, notable for its role in the synthesis and oxidation of fatty acids, and the oxidation of pyruvate in the citric acid cycle. All genomes sequenced to date encode enzymes that use coenzyme A as a substrate, and around 4% of cellular enzymes use it (or a thioester, such as acetyl-CoA) as a substrate. In humans, CoA biosynthesis requires cysteine, pantothenate, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP).