The enzyme hexokinase adds a phosphate toD-glucose but ignores its mirror image, L-glucose. Supposethat you were able to synthesize hexokinase entirely fromD-amino acids, which are the mirror image of the normalL-amino acids.A. Assuming that the “D” enzyme would fold to a sta-ble conformation, what relationship would you expect it tobear to the normal “L” enzyme?B. Do you suppose the “D” enzyme would add aphosphate to L-glucose, and ignore D-glucose?
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.
The enzyme hexokinase adds a phosphate to
D-glucose but ignores its mirror image, L-glucose. Suppose
that you were able to synthesize hexokinase entirely from
D-amino acids, which are the mirror image of the normal
L-amino acids.
A. Assuming that the “D” enzyme would fold to a sta-
ble conformation, what relationship would you expect it to
bear to the normal “L” enzyme?
B. Do you suppose the “D” enzyme would add a
phosphate to L-glucose, and ignore D-glucose?
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