SUICIDE INHIBITION Meaning and
Definition
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Suicide inhibition, also known as mechanism-based inhibition or irreversible inhibition, refers to a phenomenon in enzymology where an enzyme is irreversibly inactivated by an inhibitor molecule. In this type of inhibition, the inhibitor binds to the enzyme's active site and undergoes a chemical reaction, forming a covalent bond with an essential functional group within the enzyme. This irreversible modification renders the enzyme permanently inactive or significantly reduces its catalytic activity.
The term "suicide inhibition" stems from the concept that the inhibitor behaves like a molecular "suicide," sacrificing itself to inactivate the enzyme. Often, suicide inhibitors are designed to mimic the structure of the enzyme's natural substrate, allowing them to bind tightly and initiate the reaction that leads to their own covalent attachment to the enzyme.
Suicide inhibition is particularly valuable in pharmaceutical research and drug development as it enables the design of drugs targeting specific enzymes by irreversibly inactivating them. By blocking critical enzyme activity, suicide inhibitors can disrupt disease-causing processes. Additionally, the irreversible nature of suicide inhibition is advantageous as it allows for sustained enzyme inactivation even after the inhibitor molecule is removed.
While suicide inhibition generally involves irreversible inactivation, this term can also encompass reversible inhibition that eventually leads to irreversible alkylating or modification events within the enzyme. Regardless, suicide inhibition offers a powerful strategy for creating selective and potent enzyme inhibitors, thereby contributing to advancements in therapeutic interventions.
Etymology of SUICIDE INHIBITION
The term "suicide inhibition" is derived from the combination of two words: "suicide" and "inhibition".
1. Suicide: The word "suicide" originates from the Latin word "suicidium", which is a combination of "sui" (of oneself) and "caedes" (a killing). It was first used in the English language in the early 18th century to describe the act of intentionally causing one's own death.
2. Inhibition: This word is derived from the Latin word "inhibitio", which means a hindrance or a restraint. In the context of biology and biochemistry, "inhibition" refers to the process of slowing down or stopping the activity of a particular enzyme or protein.
