A malonic acid derivative which is a vital intermediate in the metabolism of fat and protein. Abnormalities in methylmalonic acid metabolism lead to methylmalonic aciduria. This metabolic disease is attributed to a block in the enzymatic conversion of methylmalonyl CoA to succinyl CoA. [PubChem]
Binds with coenzyme A to form methylmalonyl-CoA, also a metabolic intermediate transformed to succinic acid (SA) by a vitamin B12-dependent catalytic step, and is broadly used as a clinical biomarker of functional vitamin B12 status.