脂肪酸生合成之速率決定步驟(rate-limiting step)為:
從acetate合成acetyl-CoA
acetyl-CoA與malonyl-CoA的縮合反應(condensation)
acetyl-CoA carboxylase所催化合成malonyl-CoA的反應步驟
使malonate轉變為malonyl-CoA的反應步驟