Question

What are the different components of enzymes and explain their role in carrying out enzymatic activities

Answer 1

Different component of enzyme and their role in enzyme activity: Enzymes are composed primarily of proteins, which are polymers of amino acids.

• Enzyme components include Apoenzyme, Cofactor, Holoenzyme

Most of enzyme consist of a protein and a non- protein component

• The protein called an Apoenzyme
• The non-protein part are called a Cofactor
• Cofactors are: Can be either inorganic compounds ( Ions of iron ,zinc, magnesium, calcium etc)
• If a Cofactor is an organic molecule, it is called a Coenzyme or prosthetic groups
• Holoenzymes; Complete active enzyme ( protein+ coenzyme)

Function of Cofactors and Coenzymes

1. Cofactors: Binds to enzyme  and change its shape

• Essential to function
• They create an active site

2.Coenzymes: They are derived from water- soluble vitamins ( niacin , riboflavin)

• They transfer electron between enzymes.

Function of Apoenzyme: It is an inactive enzyme, activation of the enzyme occurs upon binding of an organic or in organic Cofactor. They can be used to establish the role of the metal, by observing the physical/catalytic nature of the Apoenzyme. They can bind with the substrate. The binding of substrate to Apoenzyme may result in the confirmational change that can be easily detected by fluorescence measurements.

Function of Holoenzymes: The function of a Holoenzymes is to change substrate into product, like enzyme ,but Holoenzymes require a Cofactor to be present.