Co-Enzymes

Co-Enzymes

Objective

At the end of this lecture, student will be able to

• Explain Co-enzymes

Coenzymes

• The protein part of the enzyme, on its own, is not always adequate to bring about the catalytic activity.  Many enzymes require certain nonprotein factors, collectively referred to as coenzymes or cofactors

• Cofactors may be organic or inorganic in nature

• The non-protein, organic, Iow molecular weight and dialysable substance associated with enzyme function is known as coenzyme

• The functional enzyme is referred as holoenzyme which is made up of a protein part (apoenzyme) and a non-protein part (coenzyme)

• The term prosthetic group is used when a non-protein moiety is tightly bound to the enzyme which is not easily separable by dialysis

• The term activator is referred to the inorganic cofactor like Ca2+, Mg2+,

Mn2+ etc. necessaryt o enhance enzyme activity

• Coenzymes undergo alterations during the enzymatic reactions, which are later regenerated

• Various types of Coenzymes are studied indetailed under water soluble vitamins

• Simply coenzymes are obtained from B-complex vitimines

Non-vitamin coenzymes:

• Not all coenzymes are vitamin derivatives.  There are some other organic substances, which have no relation with vitamins but function as coenzymes, considered as non-vitamin coenzymes

Summary

• The non-protein, organic, Iow molecular weight and dialysable substance associated with enzyme function is known as coenzyme