Enzyme Structure, Classification and Mechanism of Action

Enzyme Structure, classification
and
mechanism of action
Learning Objectives:
• By the end of the lecture, the student should be

able to :
• Define enzymes and related terms ( active site,
apoenzyme, holoenzyme, prosthetic group,
enzyme specificity).
• Explain the energy of activation.
• Describe the structure of enzymes.
• Know the Mechanism of action
• Explain the Classification of enzymes
Importance
• Enzymes play an important role in
Metabolism, Diagnosis, and Therapeutics.
• All biochemical reactions are enzyme
catalyzed in the living organism.
• Level of enzyme in blood are of diagnostic
importance e.g. it is a good indicator in
disease such as myocardial infarction.
• Enzyme can be used therapeutically such as
digestive enzymes.
Define enzymes
(Enzymes as Biological Catalysts)
• Enzymes are proteins that increase the rate of
reaction by lowering the energy of activation
• They catalyze nearly all the chemical reactions

taking place in the cells of the body.
• Not altered or consumed during reaction.
• Reusable
ACTIVE SITES
• Enzyme molecules contain a special pocket or

cleft called the active sites.
Lock-and-Key Model
• In the lock-and-key model of enzyme action:
- the active site has a rigid shape
- only substrates with the matching shape can fit
- the substrate is a key that fits the lock of the
active site
This explains enzyme

specificity
This explains the loss
of activity when
enzymes denature
APOENZYME and HOLOENZYME
• The enzyme without its non protein moiety is termed

as apoenzyme and it is inactive.
• Holoenzyme is an active enzyme with its non protein
component.
Important Terms to Understand
Biochemical Nature
And Activity of Enzymes
• Cofactor:
– A cofactor is a non-protein chemical
compound that is bound (either tightly or
loosely) to an enzyme and is required for
catalysis.
– Types of Cofactors:
• Coenzymes.
• Prosthetic groups.
Types of Cofactors
• Coenzyme:
The non-protein component, loosely bound
to apoenzyme by non-covalent bond.
• Examples : vitamins or compound derived
from vitamins.
• Prosthetic group
The non-protein component, tightly bound
to the apoenzyme by covalent bonds is called
a Prosthetic group.
Enzyme Specificity
• Enzymes have varying degrees of specificity

for substrates
• Enzymes may recognize and catalyze:
- a single substrate
- a group of similar substrates
- a particular type of bond
Important Terms to Understand
Biochemical Nature
And Activity of Enzymes
Activation energy or Energy of Activation:
• All chemical reactions require some amount of

energy to get them started.
OR
• It is First push to start reaction.
This energy is called activation energy.

Mechanism of Action of Enzymes
• Enzymes increase reaction rates by
decreasing the Activation energy:
• Enzyme-Substrate Interactions:
‒ Formation of Enzyme substrate
complex by:
‒ Lock-and-Key Model
‒ Induced Fit Model
Enzymes
Lower a
Reaction’s
Activation
Energy
Lock-and-Key Model
• In the lock-and-key model of enzyme action:
- the active site has a rigid shape
- only substrates with the matching shape can fit
- the substrate is a key that fits the lock of the active site
• This is an older model, however, and does not work for all
enzymes
Induced Fit Model
• In the induced-fit model of enzyme action:
- the active site is flexible, not rigid
- the shapes of the enzyme, active site, and substrate adjust
to maximumize the fit, which improves catalysis
- there is a greater range of substrate specificity
• This model is more consistent with a wider range of enzymes
Enzyme-substrate complex
• Step 1:
• Enzyme and substrate combine to form
complex
• E + S ES
• Enzyme Substrate Complex
+
Enzyme-product complex
• Step 2:
• An enzyme-product complex is formed.
• ES EP
ES transition EP
state
Product
• The enzyme and product separate
• EP E + P
The product
is made
Enzyme is
ready
EP for
another
substrate.
What Affects Enzyme Activity?
• Three factors:
1. Environmental Conditions
2. Cofactors and Coenzymes
3. Enzyme Inhibitors
25
1. Environmental Conditions
1. Extreme Temperature are the most

dangerous
- high temps may denature (unfold) the
enzyme.
2. pH (most like 6 - 8 pH near neutral)
3. substrate concentration .
26
2. Cofactors and Coenzymes
• Inorganic substances (zinc, iron) and
vitamins (respectively) are sometimes need
for proper enzymatic activity.
activity
• Example:
Iron must be present in the quaternary
structure - hemoglobin in order for it to
pick up oxygen.
27
Environmental factors
• Optimum temperature The temp at which
enzymatic reaction occur fastest.
Environmental factors
• pH also affects the rate of enzyme-
substrate complexes
– Most enzymes have an optimum pH of
around 7 (neutral)
• However, some prefer acidic or basic conditions
Substrate Concentration and Reaction Rate
• The rate of reaction increases as substrate
concentration increases (at constant enzyme
concentration)
• Maximum activity occurs when the enzyme is
saturated (when all enzymes are binding substrate)
Enzyme Inhibitors
• Competive - mimic substrate, may block active site, but may dislodge it.
Enzyme Inhibitors
• Noncompetitive
Naming Enzymes
• The name of an enzyme in many cases end in –ase
• For example, sucrase catalyzes the hydrolysis of sucrose
• The name describes the function of the enzyme

For example, oxidases catalyze oxidation reactions
• Sometimes common names are used, particularly for the

digestion enzymes such as pepsin and trypsin
• Some names describe both the substrate and the function

• For example, alcohol dehydrogenase oxides ethanol
Enzymes Are Classified into six functional
Classes (EC number Classification) by the
International Union of Biochemists (I.U.B.).
on the Basis of the Types of
Reactions That They Catalyze
• EC 1. Oxidoreductases
• EC 2. Transferases
• EC 3. Hydrolases
• EC 4. Lyases
• EC 5. Isomerases
• EC 6. Ligases
Principle of the international
classification
Each enzyme has classification number

consisting of four digits:
Example, EC: (2.7.1.1) HEXOKINASE
• EC: (2.7.1.1) these components indicate the following
groups of enzymes:
• 2. IS CLASS (TRANSFERASE)
• 7. IS SUBCLASS (TRANSFER OF PHOSPHATE)
• 1. IS SUB-SUB CLASS (ALCOHOL IS PHOSPHATE

ACCEPTOR)
• 1. SPECIFIC NAME
ATP,D-HEXOSE-6-PHOSPHOTRANSFERASE (Hexokinase)
6 CH 2 O H 6 CH O PO 2 
2 3
ATP ADP
5 O 5 O
H H H H
H H
4 1 4 H 1
OH H OH
M g 2+
OH OH OH OH
3 2 3 2
H OH H ex ok inase H OH
glucose glucose -6 -ph osp hate
1. Hexokinase catalyzes:
Glucose + ATP  glucose-6-P + ADP
Oxidoreductases, Transferases and Hydrolases
Lyases, Isomerases and Ligases

Enzyme Structure, Classification and Mechanism of Action

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Enzyme Structure, classification

• By the end of the lecture, the student should be

• They catalyze nearly all the chemical reactions

• Not altered or consumed during reaction.

• Enzyme molecules contain a special pocket or

This explains enzyme

• The enzyme without its non protein moiety is termed

• Enzymes have varying degrees of specificity

Activation energy or Energy of Activation:

• All chemical reactions require some amount of

This energy is called activation energy.

2. Cofactors and Coenzymes

1. Extreme Temperature are the most

• The name describes the function of the enzyme

• Sometimes common names are used, particularly for the

• Some names describe both the substrate and the function

Each enzyme has classification number

• 7. IS SUBCLASS (TRANSFER OF PHOSPHATE)

• 1. IS SUB-SUB CLASS (ALCOHOL IS PHOSPHATE

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