Apoenzymes and Their Role in Enzyme Activity: Importance of Cofactors and Coenzymes.

Apoenzyme

the protein part of a conjugated enzyme

An apoenzyme, also known as an inactive or inactive enzyme, is a protein molecule that is not fully functional until it combines with a cofactor or a coenzyme. Apoenzymes are biologically inactive because they lack the necessary functional groups and accessory molecules that are required for catalytic activity.

Many enzymes require a cofactor or coenzyme to become active and functional. The cofactor or coenzyme might be a metal ion such as magnesium or zinc, or organic molecules such as ATP, NAD+, or FAD. When a cofactor or coenzyme binds to an apoenzyme, the resulting complex is called a holoenzyme, and it becomes an active functional enzyme with catalytic activity.

It is important to note that the absence of a cofactor or coenzyme can also lead to decreased enzyme activity, which can result in an enzyme deficiency disease. For example, without a coenzyme called biotin, the enzyme pyruvate carboxylase cannot function properly, leading to a metabolic disorder called pyruvate carboxylase deficiency.

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