Enzymes Flashcards
Define “enzymes”
Protein catalysts of biologic origin which enhance the rates of biochemical reactions at a rate as to be compatible with life
What are the 5 general properties of enzymes?
- Not altered or consumed during the reaction
- Only small amounts of enzyme are required
- Enzymes accelerate the speed at which a chemical reaction reaches equilibrium, but does not alter the equilibrium constant
- Each enzyme is highly specific for a given reaction; they act on only one substrate
- Enzymes act by lowering activation energy
Occurs when the 3D structure begins to uncoil
Denaturation
High or low (blank) causes denaturation in enzymes
Temperature and pH
What is a cofactor?
Non-protein compounds required by some enzymes to make them active
What is an inorganic cofactor?
Activator
What is an organic cofactor?
Coenzyme
Complete cofactor: enzyme complex
Holoenzyme
What is a bound cofactor called?
Prosthetic group
The protein portion of the enzyme is the ____
Apoenzyme
A unique sequence and orientation of amino acids to form a pocket or groove that provides for the enzyme’s specificity for only a unique substrate
Active site
A region other than the active site where a separate compound reacts, altering the shape of the active site, altering its fit w/ the substrate; is used to regulate enzyme activity
Allosteric site
Different physical forms of an enzyme that all catalyze the same reaction
Isoenzymes
The quantity of an enzyme that will catalyze the reaction of one micromole of substrate per minute under defined conditions
International unit
Amount of enzyme catalyzed w/ a reaction rate of one mole per second
Katal
The rate of enzymatic activity increases as the concentration of substrate increased until the maximum velocity of the reaction is achieved. This max is called the _____?
Vmax
Half of the Vmax
Km
List examples of activators (inorganic cofactors) and coenzymes (organic cofactors)
Inorganic: Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Mn2+
Organic: NAD+, NADH, NADP+, NADPH, pyrixodal-5-phosphate
Why is enzyme activity, rather than ezyme concentration, measured in the lab?
The amount of enzyme is so small, that it’s difficult to devise assays sensitive enough. Instead, the rate of product formed or amount of substrate consumed during reaction is measured. The more enzyme present, the faster the reaction proceeds.
Initial period when enzyme and substrate are first mixed, but no product is formed yet, so there is no detectable change in absorbance
Phases of an enzymatic reaction:
lag phase
Rate of product formed is linear w/ time, so reaction follows Beer’s Law
Phases of an enzymatic reaction:
log (linear) phase
No change in absorbance b/c there is no substrate left to be converted to product. Rate of reaction is dependent on substrate concentration not enzyme concentration.
Phases of enzymatic reaction:
Substrate depletion phase
Why should enzyme measurements be made during the log phase?
It corresponds to zero order kinetics! It follows Beers Law so it is an accurate measurement
For a typical enzyme measurement curve, how are the axis labeled?
X: time (seconds)
Y: change in absorbance
Enzyme Curve Zero order kinetics
- Define
- Where on graph
- The rate of the reaction is independent of reactant (substrate)
- Corresponds to Log (linear) phase on the graph
Differentiate endpoint and kinetic (multiple point/rate/continuous monitoring) enzyme methods, including why kinetic methods are preferred to endpoint methods for enzyme assays
Substrate depletion is observable telling us to dilute the sample
Michaelis-Menten curve:
- Zero Order kinetics
- Where on curve
At the end of the curve when it starts to flatten out
Michaelis-Menten curve:
- First Order kinetics
- Where on curve
At the beginning of the curve were it is increasing
Michaelis-Menten curve:
How are the axis labeled?
X: [S], concentration of substrate (mol/L)
Y: V, initial reaction rate (mol/Ls)
Michaelis-Menten curve:
Vmax and Km on the curve
Vmax: Highest point curve goes
Km: half way up the Vmax
6 factors that influence enzymatic activity
- enzyme concentration
- substrate concentration
- temperature
- pH
- presence of cofactors
- presence of inhibitors
Define plasma-specific enzymes
Expected to be in higher concentration in blood b/c they function there (i.e., coag factors–fibrinogen, thrombin)
Define non-plasma specific enzymes
Have no function in the plasma; function in tissues (cellular metabolism, etc.) (e.g., LD or CK)
Two GENERAL mechanisms for increased enzymes
- increase in rate of enzyme being released into bloodstream
- increase in rate of production of enzyme
7 specific causes of cell damage or death
- hypoxia
- chemicals and drugs
- physical agents
- microbiological agents
- immune mechanisms
- genetic defects
- nutritional disorders
2 specific causes of increased enzyme production
- Enzyme induction (via drugs, alcohol, etc)
2. Proliferation of cells that produce that enzyme (cancer)
List 5 physiological factors which affect enzyme reference ranges
- Sampling time
- age
- sex
- race
- exercise (lack of and excessive)
Cholinesterase (ChE)
- In vivo reaction that is catalyzed
Hydrolysis of choline esters to form choline and the corresponding fatty acid at the neuromuscular junction
What are the 5 major liver enzymes?
- aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
- alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
- Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)
- Cholinesterase (ChE)
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) - Three biological sources
- Heart
- Skeletal muscle
- Liver
(4. Kidney)
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) - typical appearance, peak, and return to normal after myocardial infarction
Rises w/in 12 hours after onset of chest pain; peaks at 18-24 hours; normal w/in 4-5 days