Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is an enzyme that is targeted for treating infections. DHFR catalyzes the reduction of Vitamin B9 (see structure below) to tetrahydrofolate using NADPH. Tetrahydrofolate is involved in the synthesis of raw material for cell proliferation and growth. DHFR inhibitors are commonly used for fighting malaria and other protozoal infections, as well as for treating fungal and bacterial. Recently, methotrexate has been found to be a good anti-cancer drug. Propose a reasonable explanation as to why methotrexate would act this way.
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.
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