Allosteric enzymes regulate cellular processes and metabolism, and can be controlled by effectors binding to a different site on the enzyme. Inhibitors deactivate the enzyme, while activators activate it. Allosteric regulation involves molecules binding to the allosteric site, and can be used for targeted therapies.
An allosteric enzyme is a chemical involved in the regulation of cellular processes. These enzymes play a role in cellular metabolism by catalyzing various events, like other enzymes, and can also be used to control the rate of metabolism. They are used by the cell to keep operating efficiency high and to prevent energy waste and unnecessary production within the cell. Researchers who study them often work with bacteria such as Escherichia coli to learn more about how these enzymes work and what happens when their structure changes.
The function of enzymes can be modified by binding inhibitors or activators to the active site on the enzyme. With allosteric enzymes, the inhibitors or activators, also known as effectors or regulatory molecules, actually bind to a different site on the enzyme. This modifies the structure of the enzyme, consequently altering its function.
When an inhibitor binds to an allosteric enzyme, the enzyme is effectively deactivated and is no longer able to function in the body. Activators, on the other hand, activate the enzyme so that it can perform a function. Regulatory molecules can detach as needed. Using this system, cells can regulate enzyme activity in response to changing situations, turning enzymes on as needed and turning them off when they don’t want them to work.
The binding site that a regulatory molecule attaches to is known as the allosteric site on the enzyme. Allosteric regulation of enzymes involves a number of different molecules that can fit into this site, much like keys fit into a lock. With inhibition, the enzyme is maintained so that it is ready when needed, but will not work before it is needed, and with activation, it is activated so that it can perform a desired metabolic function. The body balances the number of active and inactive enzymes to modulate a wide variety of biological processes.
In addition to being used by the body, allosteric enzymes can also be harnessed by a physician. Targeting the binding site on one could allow for the delivery of unique drugs to change the shape, and therefore function, of an enzyme. Allosteric modulation could be used to treat a number of medical conditions with a precisely targeted therapy that may cause fewer side effects and other problems because it focuses on a specific enzyme within the body, rather than a large region.
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