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Related Concept Videos

Enzymes02:34

Enzymes

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Inside living organisms, enzymes act as catalysts for many biochemical reactions involved in cellular metabolism. The role of enzymes is to reduce the activation energies of biochemical reactions by forming complexes with its substrates. The lowering of activation energies favor an increase in the rates of biochemical reactions.
Enzyme deficiencies can often translate into life-threatening diseases. For example, a genetic abnormality resulting in the deficiency of the enzyme G6PD...
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Ribozymes02:47

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The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can...
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Introduction to Mechanisms of Enzyme Catalysis01:13

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For many years, scientists thought that enzyme-substrate binding took place in a simple "lock-and-key" fashion. This model stated that the enzyme and substrate fit together perfectly in one instantaneous step. However, current research supports a more refined view scientists call induced fit. The induced-fit model expands upon the lock-and-key model by describing a more dynamic interaction between enzyme and substrate. As the enzyme and substrate come together, their interaction causes...
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Introduction to Enzymes01:22

Introduction to Enzymes

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The use of enzymes by humans dates to 7000 BCE. Humans first used enzymes to ferment sugars and produce alcohol without knowing that this was an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. Wilhelm Kuhne coined the term 'enzyme' in 1877 from the Greek words ‘en’ meaning ‘in’ or ‘within’ and ‘zyme’ meaning ‘yeast.’
Most enzymes are proteins that speed up biochemical reactions without being consumed. Enzymes contain one or more active sites that...
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Protein Kinases and Phosphatases02:54

Protein Kinases and Phosphatases

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Proteins undergo chemical modifications that trigger changes in the charge, structure, and conformation of the proteins. Phosphorylation, acetylation, glycosylation, nitrosylation, ubiquitination, lipidation, methylation, and proteolysis are various protein modifications that regulate protein activity. Such modifications are usually enzyme-driven.
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
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Induced-fit Model01:13

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Most chemical reactions in cells require enzymes—biological catalysts that speed up the reaction without being consumed or permanently changed. They reduce the activation energy needed to convert the reactants into products. Enzymes are proteins, that usually work by binding to a substrate—a reactant molecule that they act upon.
Enzymes exhibit substrate specificity, meaning that they can only bind to certain substrates. This is mainly determined by the shape and chemical...
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Nanozymes: Definition, Activity, and Mechanisms.

Mohamad Zandieh1, Juewen Liu1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|February 17, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Nanozymes, or nanomaterial-based catalysts, have evolved from immobilized enzymes to inorganic nanoparticles. A broader definition and understanding of nanozyme units and mechanisms are key for advancing their analytical, environmental, and biomedical applications.

Keywords:
catalytic turnoverenzymesiron oxidenanomaterialsnanozymes

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Area of Science:

  • Catalysis
  • Nanotechnology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Nanozymes encompass diverse catalysts, including immobilized enzymes and inorganic nanoparticles.
  • Their development has progressed through two main types: immobilized catalysts (Type 1) and surface-acting nanomaterials (Type 2).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a detailed history and evolving definition of nanozymes.
  • To explore methods for defining nanozyme units and understanding their catalytic mechanisms.
  • To discuss future perspectives for nanozyme applications.

Main Methods:

  • Historical review of nanozyme research and classification.
  • Comparative analysis of nanozyme unit definitions using examples like iron oxide and horseradish peroxidase.
  • Discussion of catalytic mechanism studies and engineering approaches.

Main Results:

  • Nanozyme research has shifted from Type 1 (immobilized) to Type 2 (surface-acting) nanozymes.
  • An evolving definition based on enzyme substrates and products can encompass most nanozymes.
  • Standardized unit definitions and mechanistic understanding are crucial for rational design.

Conclusions:

  • A broader definition of nanozymes can drive application-focused research in analytical, environmental, and biomedical fields.
  • Understanding nanozyme mechanisms is essential for engineering improved catalytic nanomaterials.
  • The field of nanozymes holds significant promise for future technological advancements.