Cofactors/coenzymes (1 Viewer)

[dwayne95]

Hey.

Does anyone know what these cofactors/coenzymes are? Are they different things? What do they do?

Thanks!

 

[Kimyia]

They are compounds that help with enzyme activity. They can be non-protein groups or metal ions, from memory. They help form the active site of the enzyme so the enzyme can function properly and efficiently.

 

[Aysce]

Just to add on Kimyia's response, they are interchangeable meaning they are the same. Without a coenzyme/cofactor, an enzyme will die and cease functioning within the organism.

 

[Kimyia]

Just to add on Kimyia's response, they are interchangeable meaning they are the same. Without a coenzyme/cofactor, an enzyme will die and cease functioning within the organism.

true true.

 

[Carrotsticks]

To add to that, they can be either organic or inorganic as well.

Think about a cofactor being *sort of* like a catalyst for the biochemical reactions with enzymes.

Except enzymes cannot function without them (I say this because many reactions are successful without a catalyst).

 

[jet]

One really really really important thing to get right is the fact that enzymes aren't alive in any sense, so they can't die. They're huge molecules made of many thousands of atoms which are the perfect structure to perform a very specific role.

Some cofactors contain chemical groups which are essential for the reaction to occur. Biotin is an important example in fatty acid synthesis.

Other cofactors have a more structural role. E.g. Magnesium is important in keeping ATP in a specific shape so that it can react. Zinc holds together regions of some DNA-binding proteins called zinc fingers. These fingers are held together in a specific arrangement by the zinc so that they can interact with DNA.

 

[Aysce]

One really really really important thing to get right is the fact that enzymes aren't alive in any sense, so they can't die. They're huge molecules made of many thousands of atoms which are the perfect structure to perform a very specific role.

Some cofactors contain chemical groups which are essential for the reaction to occur. Biotin is an important example in fatty acid synthesis.

Other cofactors have a more structural role. E.g. Magnesium is important in keeping ATP in a specific shape so that it can react. Zinc holds together regions of some DNA-binding proteins called zinc fingers. These fingers are held together in a specific arrangement by the zinc so that they can interact with DNA.

My bad They CEASE IN FUNCTION rather than dying. Amirite?

 

[mirakon]

They become inhibited

 

[RishBonjour]

They become inhibited

^ that is exactly what you say

 

[dwayne95]

Cool. Thanks everyone!