What are the examples of enzyme inhibition?
Posted February 22, 2024
Answer
3 common examples of enzyme inhibition include:
- Penicillin inhibits the enzyme that is involved in building bacterial cell walls, which makes the cells fragile and leaky. These compromised cells are more susceptible to bursting open, making it easier for the immune system to break down. This helps get rid of the infection faster resulting in a shorter healing period.
- Cyanide is an example of a non-competitive inhibitor. It binds to complex IV, the final enzyme in the electron transport chain, preventing the enzyme from catalyzing the reaction from oxygen to water and effectively shutting down oxidative phosphorylation in cellular respiration. This prevents electrons from flowing down the electron transport chain and hinders ATP generation, which results in death.
- Diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) is a neurotoxin that irreversibly inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase in the synapses of neurons. This makes it a potent neurotoxin, with a lethal dose of less than 100 mg.
Additional resources
Amplite® Fluorimetric Coenzyme A Quantitation Kit *Green Fluorescence*