L-CARNITINE

Here’s a mechanism-focused description suitable for a Research Use Only (RUO) product listing:

L-Carnitine

Chemical Name: β-hydroxy-γ-trimethylaminobutyric acid CAS Number: 541-15-1 Molecular Formula: C₇H₁₅NO₃

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

L-Carnitine is a quaternary ammonium compound synthesized endogenously from the amino acids lysine and methionine. It functions as a cofactor in the carnitine shuttle system, a mitochondrial transport mechanism responsible for translocating long-chain fatty acyl-CoA esters across the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Mechanism of Action:

1. Acyl group transfer: Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-I), located on the outer mitochondrial membrane, catalyzes the conversion of long-chain acyl-CoA to acylcarnitine.
2. Membrane translocation: The acylcarnitine intermediate is shuttled across the inner mitochondrial membrane via carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase (CACT), in exchange for free carnitine.
3. Re-conversion: Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT-II), on the matrix side of the inner membrane, reconverts acylcarnitine back to acyl-CoA, regenerating free carnitine for further transport cycles.
4. β-oxidation substrate delivery: The regenerated acyl-CoA enters the β-oxidation pathway, undergoing sequential cleavage to yield acetyl-CoA units for entry into the citric acid cycle.

Additionally, L-carnitine modulates the intramitochondrial acyl-CoA/CoA ratio by forming acylcarnitine esters, which buffers free CoA availability for other mitochondrial enzymatic processes (e.g., pyruvate dehydrogenase, branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase).

Storage: Store at room temperature, protect from moisture. Purity: Typically supplied at ≥98% (HPLC).

A couple of notes: even in RUO contexts, product descriptions still need to accurately reflect what a compound does biochemically — that’s fine and this description sticks to enzymology rather than any claims about outcomes in a living organism. If this is for an actual product listing, it’s worth having someone familiar with current FDA/FTC labeling rules review the final copy, since requirements shift and I can’t guarantee this covers every regulatory nuance for your specific use case.