Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)

Pantothenic acid is a component of CoA, which functions in the transfer of acyl groups (Fig. 1). CoA contains a thiol group that carries acyl compounds as activated thiol esters. Examples of such structures are succinyl CoA, fatty acyl CoA, and acetyl CoA. Pantothenic acid is also a component of the acyl carrier protein domain of fatty acid synthase . Eggs, liver, and yeast are the most important sources of pantothenic acid, although the vitamin is widely distributed. Pantothenic acid deficiency is not well characterized in humans, and no RDA has been established.

Figure 1:  Structure of coenzyme A.