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AAT Bioquest

How do enzymes carry out catalysis together with the substrate?

Posted January 22, 2024


Answer

Enzymes carry out catalysis together with the substrate via different mechanisms such as: 

  • Covalent catalysis: This involves the formation of a temporary covalent bond between substrate and the active site of the enzyme.
  • Acid-base catalysis: In this mechanism, hydrogen ions (protons) are transferred from one molecule to another.
  • Catalysis by approximation: In this process, the enzyme orients multiple substrates by positioning them in close proximity to each other to increase the rate of reaction.
  • Electrostatic catalysis: This involves an electrostatic (ionic, dipole-dipole, hydrophobic, or ionic-dipole) interaction with the substrate at the active site .
  • Cofactor catalysis: This mechanism employs coenzymes and cofactors such as copper, iron, zinc or other metals.
Additional resources

The Central Role of Enzymes as Biological Catalysts

Enzymes

Amplite® Fluorimetric Coenzyme A Quantitation Kit *Green Fluorescence*