Enzymes
Introduction
The global life depends on a series of chemical reactions. Most of the chemical reactions proceed too slowly on their own to sustain life. Hence catalysts are required to greatly accelerate the rates of these chemical reactions. In nature enzymes posses the catalytic power to facilitate life processes in essentially all life-forms from viruses to man. Most of the enzymes retain their catalytic potential even after extraction from the living organism. The above catalytic power of enzyme leads to commercial usage of enzymes. In ancient days enzymes are used in manufacture of cheeses, breads, and alcoholic beverages, and for the tenderizing of meats. Today enzymes are also of fundamental interest in the health sciences. Human disease processes can be linked to the aberrant activities of one or a few enzymes. Because of their role in maintaining life processes, the assay and pharmacological regulation of enzymes have become key elements in clinical diagnosis and therapeutics. The macromolecular components of almost all enzymes are composed of protein, except for a class of RNA modifying catalysts known as ribozymes. Ribozymes are molecules of ribonucleic acid that catalyze reactions on the phosphodiester bond of other RNAs. Enzymes are found in all tissues and fluids of the body. Intracellular enzymes catalyze the reactions of metabolic pathways. Plasma membrane enzymes regulate catalysis within cells in response to
extracellular signals, and enzymes of the circulatory system are responsible for regulating the clotting of blood.
Almost every significant life process is dependent on enzyme activity. So the modern pharmaceutical research is based on the search for potent and specific inhibitors of these enzymes. This chapter briefs you about basic nature, classification and clinical significance of enzymes.
Objectives
define enzymes
classify enzymes
explain co-enzymes
explain the factors affecting enzyme activity
describe isoenzymes
explain the Clinical significance of enzymes
