METALLOENZYME Meaning and
Definition
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Metalloenzyme is a term used in biochemistry to refer to a specific class of enzymes that require a metal ion cofactor for their proper functioning. Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms, and metalloenzymes utilize metal ions to carry out their catalytic functions. The metal ion cofactor plays a crucial role in the enzyme's activity by assisting in substrate binding, providing an active site for the catalytic reaction, stabilizing intermediates, or participating directly in the chemical reaction.
The metal ion employed by a metalloenzyme can vary, and common examples include iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and magnesium. The metal ion is typically bound within the enzyme's active site, which is a specific region where the enzyme interacts with its substrate to facilitate the conversion of reactants into products. The presence of the metal ion cofactor is essential for the enzyme's proper folding, structure, and overall activity.
Metalloenzymes often exhibit unique reactivity and play crucial roles in various biological processes such as metabolism, DNA replication and repair, signaling pathways, and oxygen transport. Examples of metalloenzymes include cytochrome c oxidase, which contains copper and iron ions and is involved in cellular respiration, and carbonic anhydrase, which contains zinc ions and catalyzes the conversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate.
Overall, metalloenzymes represent an important subset of enzymes that rely on metal ions for their catalytic functions. Their study has contributed significantly to our understanding of enzyme mechanisms, as well as providing insights into the biological functions and chemical reactivity of metal ions in living systems.
Common Misspellings for METALLOENZYME
- netalloenzyme
- ketalloenzyme
- jetalloenzyme
- mwtalloenzyme
- mstalloenzyme
- mdtalloenzyme
- mrtalloenzyme
- m4talloenzyme
- m3talloenzyme
- meralloenzyme
- mefalloenzyme
- megalloenzyme
- meyalloenzyme
- me6alloenzyme
- me5alloenzyme
- metzlloenzyme
- metslloenzyme
- metwlloenzyme
- metqlloenzyme
- metakloenzyme
Etymology of METALLOENZYME
The word "metalloenzyme" is derived from two components: "metal" and "enzyme".
The word "enzyme" stems from the Greek word "enzumon", which means "yeast". It was coined by German physiologist Wilhelm Kühne in 1878 to describe a substance produced in living cells that accelerates various biochemical reactions without being changed itself. The suffix "-ase" was later added to indicate that these substances were enzymes.
The term "metal" refers to elements that have certain properties, including being lustrous, malleable, and conductive. "Metal" originates from the Latin word "metallum", which was borrowed from the Greek word "metallon", meaning "mine" or "quarry".
When combined, "metalloenzyme" refers to an enzyme that contains one or more metal ions that are essential for its catalytic function.
