Pantothenate kinase is an essential regulatory enzyme in CoA biosynthesis, catalyzing the cytosolic phosphorylation of pantothenate (vitamin B5), N-pantothenoylcysteine, and pantetheine. CoA is the major acyl carrier, playing a central role in intermediary and fatty acid metabolism. In both yeast and fly, each with only 1 pantothenate kinase gene, the null mutant is inviable. Mutations in PANK2 are the cause of pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), formerly known as Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome (HSS). PKAN is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder associated with iron accumulation in the brain. Mutations in PANK2 are the cause of hypoprebetalipoproteinemia, acanthocytosis, retinitis pigmentosa, and pallidal degeneration (HARP).

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