Allosteric enzymes subunits

The basic kinetic properties of this allosteric enzyme are clearly explained by combining Monod s theory and these structural results. The tetrameric enzyme exists in equilibrium between a catalytically active R state and an inactive T state. There is a difference in the tertiary structure of the subunits in these two states, which is closely linked to a difference in the quaternary structure of the molecule. The substrate F6P binds preferentially to the R state, thereby shifting the equilibrium to that state. Since the mechanism is concerted, binding of one F6P to the first subunit provides an additional three subunits in the R state, hence the cooperativity of F6P binding and catalysis. ATP binds to both states, so there is no shift in the equilibrium and hence there is no cooperativity of ATP binding. The inhibitor PEP preferentially binds to the effector binding site of molecules in the T state and as a result the equilibrium is shifted to the inactive state. By contrast the activator ADP preferentially binds to the effector site of molecules in the R state and as a result shifts the equilibrium to the R state with its four available, catalytically competent, active sites per molecule. 

Allosteric enzymes have an oligomeric organization. They are composed of more than one polypeptide chain (subunit) and have more than one S-bind-ing site per enzyme molecule. 

The working hypothesis is that, by some means, interaction of an allosteric enzyme with effectors alters the distribution of conformational possibilities or subunit interactions available to the enzyme. That is, the regulatory effects exerted on the enzyme s activity are achieved by conformational changes occurring in the protein when effector metabolites bind. 

In addition to the binding of substrate (or in some cases co-substrates) at the active site, many enzymes have the capacity to bind regulatory molecules at sites which are usually spatially far removed from the catalytic site. In fact, allosteric enzymes are invariably multimeric (i.e. have a quaternary structure) and the allosteric (regulatory) sites are on different subunits of the protein to the active site. In all cases, the binding of the regulatory molecules is non covalent and is described in kinetic terms as noncompetitive inhibition. 

PFK-1 is a classic example of a tetrameric allosteric enzyme. Each of the four subunits has two ATP binding sites one is the active site where ATP is co-substrate and the other is an inhibitory allosteric site. ATP may bind to the substrate (active) site when the enzyme is in either the R (active) or T (inhibited) form. The other co-substrate, F-6-P binds only to the enzyme in the R state. AMP may also bind to the R form and in so doing stabilises the protein in that active conformation permitting ATP and F-6-P to bind. 

When an enzyme reacts to effectors (substrates, activators, or inhibitors) with conformational changes that increase or reduce its activity, it is said to show allosteric behavior (see p. 116). Allosteric enzymes are usually oligomers with several subunits that mutually influence each other. 

One excellent example of a Emax-type allosteric enzyme is Escherichia coli phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PGDH), a tetramer of identical subunits that catalyzes the formation of D-3-phosphohydroxypyruvate from D-3-phosphoglycerate in a reaction that uses NAD+ as a redox cofactor. This regulatory enzyme is allosteri-cally controlled by serine. All available information suggests that the effects on the for substrate are minor... 

C. Many allosteric enzymes have multiple subunits whose interaction accounts for their unusual kinetic properties. 

The oligomycin inhibition requires interaction of F, with other polypeptide chains of the coupling factor that are associated with the membrane used for reconstitution. In a sense this is quite analogous to allosteric enzymes, where regulation is achieved by modulation of inter-subunit interactions. 

Allosteric enzymes are generally larger and more complex than nonallosteric enzymes. Most have two or more subunits. Aspartate transcarbamoylase, which catalyzes an early reaction in the biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides (see Fig. 22-36), has 12 polypeptide chains organized into catalytic and regulatory subunits. Figure 6-27 shows the quaternary structure of this enzyme, deduced from x-ray analysis. 

Homotropic allosteric enzymes generally are multisubunit proteins and, as noted earlier, the same binding site on each subunit functions as both the active site and the regulatory site. Most commonly, the substrate acts as a positive modulator (an activator), because the subunits act cooperatively the binding of one molecule... 

The activity of allosteric enzymes is adjusted by reversible binding of a specific modulator to a regulatory site. Modulators may be the substrate itself or some other metabolite, and the effect of the modulator may be inhibitory or stimulatory. The kinetic behavior of allosteric enzymes reflects cooperative interactions among enzyme subunits. 

Allosteric enzymes are regulated by molecules called effectors (also modifiers) that bind noncovalently at a site other than the active site. These enzymes are composed of multiple subunits, and the regula tory site that binds the effector may be located on a subunit that is not itself catalytic. The presence of an allosteric effector can alter the affinity of the enzyme for its substrate, or modify the maximal cat alytic activity of the enzyme, or both. Effectors that inhibit enzyme activity are termed negative effectors, whereas those that increase enzyme activity are called positive effectors. Allosteric enzymes usually contain multiple subunits, and frequently catalyze the commit ted step early in a pathway. 

Mixed subunits Aspartate carbamoyltransferase, pertussis toxin Allosteric enzymes different subunits have separate functions... 

Aspartate carbamoyltransferase is an allosteric enzyme in which the active sites and the allosteric effector binding sites are on different subunits. Explain how it might be possible for an allosteric enzyme to have both kinds of sites on the same subunit. 

A plot of VQ against [S] for an allosteric enzyme gives a sigmoidal-shaped curve. Allosteric enzymes often have more than one active site which co-operatively bind substrate molecules, such that the binding of substrate at one active site induces a conformational change in the enzyme that alters the affinity of the other active sites for substrate. Allosteric enzymes are often multi-subunit proteins, with an active site on each subunit. In addition, allosteric enzymes may be controlled by effector molecules (activators or inhibitors) that bind to a site other than the active site and alter the rate of enzyme activity. Aspartate transcarbamoylase is an allosteric enzyme that catalyzes the committed step in pyrimidine biosynthesis. This enzyme consists of six catalytic subunits each with an active site and six regulatory subunits to which the allosteric effectors cytosine triphosphate (CTP) and ATP bind. Aspartate transcarbamoylase is feedback-inhibited by the end-product of the pathway, CTP, which acts as an allosteric inhibitor. In contrast, ATP an intermediate earlier in the pathway, acts as an allosteric activator. 

In addition, allosteric enzymes may be controlled by effector molecules (activators and inhibitors) that bind to the enzyme at a site other than the active site (either on the same subunit or on a different subunit), thereby causing a change in the conformation of the active site which alters the rate of enzyme activity (cf. the binding of C02, H+ and 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate to hemoglobin see Topic B4). An allosteric activator increases the rate of enzyme activity, while an allosteric inhibitor decreases the activity of the enzyme. 

The term "quaternary structure" refers to the interaction of several polypeptide chains in a noncovalent manner to form multisubunit protein particles termed oligomers. Individual subunit polypeptide chains are also referred to as protomers. Oligomers usually have an even number of subunits (two or more). The noncovalent interactions may be of the hydrophobic, hydrogen bond, or the polar type. Examples are hemoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase (four protomers each) and many allosteric enzymes. 

The addition of small molecules has been shown to change the enantioselectivity of certain enzyme-catalyzed reactions. It is believed that such molecules bind to a site in the protein different from the active site, which leads to a conformational change in the active site. Such enzymes are called allosteric enzymes, i.e. enzymes that comprise of multiple subunits and multiple active sites. Binding of a cosubstrate or small molecule may cause an increase or decrease in the activity or selectivity of the enzyme. 

A° resolution (48). The structures of the enzyme in complex with ATP and ADP-Glc were determined to 2.6 and 2.2 A° resolution, respectively. Ammonium sulfate was used in the crystallization process and was found tightly bound to the crystalline enzyme. It was also shown that the small-subunit homotetrameric potato tuber ADP-Glc PPase was also inhibited by inorganic sulfate with the I0.5 value of 2.8 mM in the presence of 6-mM 3-PGA (48). Sulfate is considered as an analog of phosphate, which is the allosteric inhibitor of plant ADP-Glc PPases. Thus, the atomic resolution structure of the ADP-Glc PPase probably presents a conformation of the allosteric enzyme in its inhibited state. The crystal structure of the potato tuber ADP-Glc PPase (48) allows one to determine the location of the activator and substrate sites in the three-dimensional structure and their relation to the catalytic residue Aspl45. The structure also provides insights into the mechanism of allosteric regulation. 

The Michaelis-Menten model has greatly assisted the development of enzyme chemistry. Its virtues are simplicity and broad applicability. However, the Michaelis-Menten model cannot account for the kinetic properties of many enzymes. An important group of enzymes that do not obey Michaelis-Menten kinetics comprises the allosteric enzymes. These enzymes consist of multiple subunits and multiple active sites. 

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