Dominica State College

Biochemistry Enzymes
Clayton Bryan MSc.,BPharm.

09:02:10

Components
Protein component apoenzyme Non protein component cofactors
Cations Small organic molecules
Prosthetic group if tightly held by covalent bonds

Overview
Increase the rate of chemical reactions by
Lowering the energy required for activation of the reaction

Remain unchanged at the end of the reaction Have a finite half life
Subject to turnover and replacement Diet must include sufficient
Amino acids Metals Vitamins

Possess high molecular weights

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Overview
Having a protein nature, they function optimally in the presence of
Chemicals Heat pH

Activity is determined b an active catalytic site

A relatively small # of AA residues

The chemical which it interacts with is called the substrate Degree of enzyme specificity for the substrate is variable
Dependent on the stereo chemical fit
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Cofactors
Organic molecules Derived from B vitamins Participate directly in enzymatic reactions

Mechanism of Enzymatic Catalysis

E + S ES ES* EP E + P

Enzyme Inhibiton
The reduction of enzyme activity by an antagonist Competitive Inhibition Enzyme inhibition in which the antagonist can be displaced by introduction of sufficient quantities of the agonist (enzyme)
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Non-Competitive Inhibition
Enzyme inhibition in which the antagonist cannot be displaced by quantities of the enzyme. Eg., are toxins Hg Ag Pb Diisopropylfluorophosphate DFP Nitrogen mustards
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Metabolic Pathways
Enzyme reactions are usually arranged in Sequences A series of transformations
A building block is converted to complex products A complex product is degraded into building blocks

Enzyme Classifications
Oxidoreductases
Catalyse oxidation-reduction reactions e.g.,
Dehydrogenase Oxidase Peroxidase Reductase

Transferases
Catalyse group transfers e.g.,
Aminotransferase Transcarboxylase

Hydrolases
Catalyse cleavage of bonds b/w C and some other atom, by the addition of water e.g.,
Peptidase Pepsin Trypsin

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Enzyme Classifications
Lyases
Catalyse the breakage of C-C, C-S, and certain C-N bonds e.g.,
Decarboxylase Aldolase

Isomerases
Catalyse the conversion of isomers e.g.,
Racemase Mutase

Ligases
Catalyse the formation of bonds b/w C-O, S,N and other atoms e.g.,
Synthetase Carboxylase

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