In: Biology
Enzyme inhibitors are substances which modify the catalytic action of the enzyme and subsequently slow down or stop catalysis. There are three common types of enzyme inhibition - competitive, non-competitive and substrate inhibition. Most theories regarding inhibition mechanisms are based on the existence of the enzyme-substrate complex ES.Enzyme inhibitors are substances which modify the catalytic action of the enzyme and subsequently slow down or stop catalysis. There are three common types of enzyme inhibition - competitive, non-competitive and substrate inhibition. Most theories regarding inhibition mechanisms are based on the existence of the enzyme-substrate complex ES.
- Silver is one of the heavy metals present in the environment. Several studies have shown that silver nitrate can produce ROS (oxygen reactive species) and harm cells through a variety of mechanisms including interactions with enzymes and proteins sulphydryl groups. Major sources of Silver in surface waters is natural leaching, human activities, such as mining, manufacture of silverware and jewellery etc which can increase silver levels in aquatic environments. The enzyme used for study is horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is found in the roots of horseradish ( plantIt catalyzes the oxidation of various organic substrates by H2O2. Research showed that continous inhibition of the enzymatic activity was observed after 60 min enzyme incubation with upto 100 mM of Ag+. After 30 and 60 min incubation time, enzyme inhibition increased subsequently. In low concentrations of Ag+ (0.05mM) and 15min incubation, reverse effects was observed and enzyme activity increased.
- Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme activity were ialso studied using different solvents. and data showed that the rates of several CYP450-mediated reactions at solvent concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 3% greatly affected all tested reactions like 2% acetone activity decreased but others like DMSO showed increase in enzyme activity.
So in some reactions they act as inhibitors and somewhere as activators depending on the conditions and are found to be equally effective too.