The enzyme catalyses the transfer of a carboxyl group carried on a biotinylated biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP) to acetyl-CoA, forming malonyl-CoA. In some organisms this activity is part of a multi-domain polypeptide that includes the carrier protein and EC
6.3.4.14, biotin carboxylase (see EC
6.4.1.2, acetyl-CoA carboxylase). Some enzymes can also carboxylate propanonyl-CoA and butanoyl-CoA (cf. EC
6.4.1.3, propionyl-CoA carboxylase).