In a particular enzyme, an alanine residue is located in a cleft where the substrate binds. A mutation that changes this residue to glycine has little effect on activity; however, another mutation, which changes the alanine to a glutamate residue, leads to a complete loss of activity. Provide a brief explanation for these observations.
Enzyme kinetics
In biochemistry, enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts. Catalysis is the addition of a catalyst to a chemical reaction to speed up the pace of the reaction. Catalysis can be categorized as either homogeneous or heterogeneous, depending on whether the catalysts are distributed in the same phase as that of the reactants. Enzymes are an essential part of the cell because, without them, many organic processes would slow down and thus will affect the processes that are important for cell survival and sustenance.
Regulation of Enzymes
A substance that acts as a catalyst to regulate the reaction rate in the living organism's metabolic pathways without itself getting altered is an enzyme. Most of the biological reactions and metabolic pathways in the living systems are carried out by enzymes. They are specific for their works and work in particular conditions. It maintains the best possible rate of reaction in the most stable state. The enzymes have distinct properties as they can proceed with the reaction in any direction, their particular binding sites, pH specificity, temperature specificity required in very few amounts.
In a particular enzyme, an alanine residue is located in a cleft where the substrate binds. A mutation that changes this residue to glycine has little effect on activity; however, another mutation, which changes the alanine to a glutamate residue, leads to a complete loss of activity. Provide a brief explanation for these observations.
As a follow-up on the previous question, you have another enzyme that you suspect binds its substrate in a similar site as the enzyme you are studying above. Assuming you have access to techniques whereby you could synthesize mutant proteins, outline experimental steps you would use to help you determine whether the two proteins recognize substrate by similar structural features.
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