ENZYME

METABOLISM
Enzyme Metabolism
• enzymes help to break down large nutrient molecules, such as
proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, into smaller molecules.
• This process occurs during the digestion of foodstuffs in the
stomach and intestines of animals. Other enzymes guide the
smaller, broken-down molecules through the intestinal wall
into the bloodstream.
• Enzymes are specific biological protein that catalyze
biochemical reactions without altering the equilibrium point
of the reaction or changed in composition.
• The catalyzed reactions are frequently specific and essential
to physiologic functions.
General Properties of Enzymes
• Enzymes catalyze many specific physiologic reactions. These
reactions are facilitated by the enzyme structure and several
other factors. As a protein, each enzyme contains a specific
amino acid sequence.

I. Primary structure
- The resultant polypeptide chains twisting

II. Secondary structure

- Refers to the coiling or folding of the peptide chain
III. Tertiary structure
- Results in structural Cavities

IV. Quaternary structure

- Refers to the spatial relationship between the sub units.
- Each enzyme contains an active site – often a water-free cavity,
where the substance on which the enzyme acts or interacts with
particular charged amino acid residues.

- Even though a particular enzyme maintains the same catalytic

function throughout the body, that enzyme may exist in different
forms within the same individual.
Physical Properties of Enzyme
I. Isoform
- contribute to heterogeneity in properties and function of
enzymes.
II. Cofactor
- a non-protein molecule, that may be necessary for
enzyme activity.
III. Heloenzyme
- forms a complete and active system.
IV. Zymogen
- originally secreted from the organ of production and an
inactive form.
Mechanism of Enzyme action
• Ability of enzymes to lower activation energy
due to structure.
• Each type of enzyme has a highly-ordered,
characteristic 3-dimensional shape (conformation).

Substrates
- the chemical species being observed in a chemical reaction,
which reacts with a reagent to generate a product.
In synthetic and organic chemistry, the substrate is the chemical
of interest that is being modified.
Substrates have specific shapes to fit into the active sites:

– Substrate fits into active sites in enzyme.

– Perfect fit may be induced:
• Enzyme undergoes structural change.
– Enzyme-substrate complex formed, then dissociates.
– Products formed and enzyme is unaltered.
Factors that affects Enzymatic Reaction
Temperature
- Slightly above body temperature (37o C), as temperature
increases reaction rate also increases.

pH
- Each enzyme exhibits peak activity at narrow pH range (pH
optimum).
- pH optimum reflects the pH of the body fluid in which the
enzyme is found.
Cofactors
- Attachment of cofactor causes a conformational change of active site.

Inhibitors
- Competitive Inhibitors:
Shape at least partially fits in the enzymes active site
“ blocks substrate from binding.”
• Allosteric “different shape” Inhibitors:
Bind to a different location of the enzyme protein— the allosteric site
“active site no longer fits substrates”
Metabolic Pathway
• Sequence of enzymatic reactions that begins
with initial substrate, progresses through
intermediates and ends with a final product.