Classification of Enzymes

Many enzymes have been named by adding the suffix“-ase” to the name of their substrate or
to a word or phrase describing their activity.
 Thus urease catalyzes hydrolysis of urea.
 DNA polymerase catalyzes the polymerization of nucleotides to form DNA.

Since 1964, the IUB system of enzyme classification has been in force. Enzymes are
divided into six major classes (in that order).
Classification of Enzymes
 Classification of Enzymes
Each enzyme is assigned a four-part classification number and a systematic name, which
identifies the reaction it catalyzes.

Its Enzyme Commission number (E.C. number) is 2.7.1.1. The first number (2) denotes
the class name (transferase); the second number (7), the sub class (phosphotransferase);
the third number (1), a phosphotransferase with a hydroxyl group as acceptor; and the
fourth number (1), D-glucose as the phosphoryl group acceptor .
 Summary

■ Life depends on powerful and specific catalysts: the enzymes. Almost

every biochemical reaction is catalyzed by an enzyme.

■ With the exception of a few catalytic RNAs, all known enzymes are
proteins. Many require non protein coenzymes or cofactors for their
catalytic function.

■ Enzymes are classified according to the type of reaction they catalyze. All
enzymes have formal E.C. numbers and names, and most have trivial
names.
 How Enzymes Work
 The distinguishing feature of an enzyme-catalyzed
reaction is that it takes place within the confines of a
pocket on the enzyme called the active site .

 The molecule that is bound in the active site and acted

upon by the enzyme is called the substrate.

 The surface of the active site is lined with amino acid

residues with substituent groups that bind the
substrate and catalyze its chemical transformation. Binding of a substrate to an enzyme at the acti
 How Enzymes Work
The enzyme-substrate complex, whose existence was first proposed by Charles -Adolphe
Wurtz in 1880, is central to the action of enzymes.

where E, S, and P represent the enzyme, substrate, and product; ES and EP are
transient complexes of the enzyme with the substrate and with the product .

The function of a catalyst is to increase the rate of a reaction. Catalysts do not

affect reaction equilibria.
 How Enzymes Work
Any reaction, such as S yz P, can be described by a reaction coordinate diagram.

Transition state
Activation energy, G‡

Reaction coordinate diagram. The free energy of the system

is plotted against the progress of the reaction S → P.
 How Enzymes Work
Catalysts enhance reaction rates by lowering activation energies.
 How Enzymes Work

Effect of enzyme on activation energy of a reaction (A is the substrate and B is the

product. Enzyme decreases activation energy).
 How Enzymes Work

Mechanism of enzyme-substrate (ES)

complex formation:

(A) Lock and key model

(B) Induced fit theory

(C) Substrate strain theory