Enzyme Cofactors
Introduction
The human body is composed of various cell types, tissues, and other specialised
organs. The biological processes of breathing, digestion, excretion, and a few other
metabolic activities are accelerated by chemicals that our body produces for effective
functioning to maintain a healthy life. Enzymes are therefore essential to all living
things to control all biological activities.
Many enzymes are basic proteins composed primarily of one or more amino acid
sequences. The proper operation of other enzymes depends on a cofactor, a non-protein
substance they consist of. Cofactors come in two varieties: organic molecules called
coenzymes and inorganic ions like zinc or copper ions. Most coenzymes are either
derived from vitamins or are themselves vitamins.
Several cofactors are required by certain enzymes or enzyme complexes. For instance,
the multienzyme complex pyruvate dehydrogenase at the convergence of glycolysis
and the citric acid cycle involves one metal ion and five organic cofactors. These include
a metal ion (Mg2+), covalently bound lipoamide and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD),
loosely attached thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), and cosubstrates nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide (NAD+) and coenzyme A (CoA).
Definition and Examples of Enzyme Cofactor
A cofactor is a non-protein molecule that supports a biochemical reaction. Cofactors can
take the form of metal ions, organic substances or other molecules with beneficial
characteristics not typically present in amino acids. While some cofactors, like ATP, can
be produced by the body, others must be obtained through food.
Cofactors play an important role in understanding how biological activities occur at the
biochemical level. How rapidly a reaction moves from its reactant to its product may
depend on whether cofactors are present or absent.
Understanding cofactors is essential for studying health at the biological level. Humans
and animals may suffer life-threatening illnesses or eventually die without the
necessary cofactors.
Minerals come from the environment and cannot be produced by any living being. Our
bodies cannot produce the organic molecules “vitamins,” so we must consume foods
containing vitamins for our cells to execute essential life functions.
Examples of Cofactors
Folic Acid or Vitamin B9
Vitamin B9 or folic acid is frequently added to meals to promote general health. Amino
acids, DNA and RNA must be produced by the body for cells to grow and divide.
Folic acid is important for expectant mothers, whose foetuses are rapidly generating
new cells and organs. Folic acid deficiency can result in birth abnormalities in children
or anaemia in expectant mothers who may not be able to produce sufficient new blood
cells to sustain both themselves and the child.
Thiamine or Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 is mostly present in edible seeds including beans, corn and rice. Thiamine is
commonly added artificially to foods containing wheat, such as morning cereals, to
enhance public health.
Thiamine helps the body produce various coenzymes that support important functions.
Thiamine is converted into thiamine pyrophosphate, required to metabolise
carbohydrates and amino acids.
Korsakoff Syndrome, a rare neurological condition found in patients with severe alcohol
addiction, can have several causes, including acute thiamine deficiency.
Iron-Sulphur Clusters
Iron-sulphur clusters are groups of iron and sulphur ions that can arrange themselves
into stable configurations. In contrast to amino acids and other chemical molecules,
these clusters exhibit various unique characteristics.
Due to their specific features, iron-sulphur clusters are useful for biological processes
involving electron transfers. This makes iron-sulphur clusters an essential component of
enzymes and cofactors in energy transfer and electron transfer, such as Complex I and
Complex II in the mitochondria, coenzyme Q, cytochrome C, and NADH dehydrogenase.
Types of Enzyme Cofactors
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic substances that act as cofactors in essential metabolic processes.
Since the body cannot produce vitamins, they must usually be obtained through diet.
Numerous vitamins serve as cofactors to enable enzymes to catalyse processes,
including the production of essential proteins. For example, vitamin C functions as a
cofactor in the synthesis of collagen, a protein found in connective tissue.
Vitamin deficiency is a good example of a cofactor deficiency. Similar to how there are
conceivable vitamin deficiencies with various symptoms, there are various cofactors
that our body needs to carry out its different essential biochemical reactions.
Minerals
Like vitamins, minerals are substances that must be consumed for our cells to function
effectively. The difference is that minerals are inorganic compounds that naturally occur
and are commonly found in rocks and soil, whereas vitamins are organic molecules,
containing carbon, generally produced by other living things.
Minerals essential for human wellness include copper, necessary for the function of
certain liver enzymes that break down toxins. Iron is essential for the function of
essential metabolic enzymes. The mineral magnesium is required for the function of
DNA polymerase and many other enzymes. And zinc is also essential for DNA
polymerase and some liver enzymes.
Organic Non-Vitamin Cofactors
Several cofactors are organic components that are not considered enzymes. Some of
these might be produced by our bodies and are not considered vitamins.
ATP is an organic, non-vitamin cofactor that provides energy to various enzymes,
transportation of proteins, and other metabolic activities. Coenzyme Q is an essential
component of the mitochondrial transport chain. To transport oxygen throughout the
body, our blood cells need heme which is a complex iron-containing molecule.
Functions of Enzyme Cofactors
Cofactors usually have the function of contributing chemical groups or qualities that are
absent from other chemical groups.
For example, the cofactor ATP can transfer energy, which it uses to conduct chemical
reactions like enzyme activities and protein transportation.
On the other hand, heme is an iron-containing chemical complex which connects with
oxygen molecules. Our blood cells need heme to transport oxygen throughout our
bodies.
As a result, cofactors may have a wide range of functions depending on their chemical
components and characteristics.
Coenzyme Definition and Examples
A coenzyme is a chemical that works with the enzyme to start or support the enzyme’s
activity. It can be considered as a supporting molecule in a biochemical process.
Coenzymes are tiny, non-proteinaceous substances that serve as a transfer site for an
active enzyme. They operate as intermediary carriers for an atom or group of atoms,
enabling a reaction to take place.
Coenzymes are not recognized as a component of the structure of an enzyme. They are
referred to as cosubstrates. Coenzymes need an enzyme to function; they are unable to
do it on their own. Some enzymes require many cofactors and coenzymes.
Examples of Coenzymes
The B vitamins act as coenzymes, which are necessary for enzymes to produce
carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.
S-adenosyl methionine is an example of a non-vitamin coenzyme that carries a methyl
group in bacteria, eukaryotes and archaea.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is the difference between a coenzyme and a cofactor?
The cofactor is primarily a metal associated with the enzyme’s catalytic properties. On
the other hand, a coenzyme is an organic substance that usually serves as a donor or
acceptor of atoms added to or removed from the substrate.
Define an enzyme.
A macromolecule that catalyses a chemical process is known as an enzyme. An active
subunit of an enzyme is constructed from smaller molecules. The coenzyme is one of
the most essential components of an enzyme.
What is the importance of cofactors?
Cofactors are small organic compounds or metals primarily used to support the action of
enzymes. They can assist the enzyme in carrying out some essential processes that it
cannot carry out on its own.
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