Electron transfer flavoprotein subunit alpha (ETFA) is a mitochondrial protein-coding gene that plays a central role in cellular energy metabolism. It encodes the alpha subunit of electron transfer flavoprotein, a key component involved in transferring electrons from multiple dehydrogenases to the mitochondrial respiratory chain during fatty acid and amino acid oxidation.



Functionally, ETFA participates in the initial steps of mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation and electron transport chain regulation, acting as a metabolic hub that links substrate oxidation to ATP production. By shuttling electrons to downstream oxidoreductases, ETFA ensures efficient energy generation and maintains cellular metabolic homeostasis.