Enzyme Structure

Enzymes are proteins found in all living organisms, responsible for regulating and facilitating biochemical reactions within cells. Their structure is critical for their function as enzymes bind to a specific substrate, or reactant, in order to catalyze a chemical reaction. Enzymes are fundamental to life and are responsible for controlling metabolic reactions including digestion and energy production. Knowing the structure of an enzyme can therefore help to understand its activity and its role in life processes. Enzyme structure is studied using a wide range of techniques such as X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), which help to understand the three-dimensional conformation of proteins and their active sites. By understanding enzyme structure and how it affects an enzyme’s activity, scientists can design drugs and other compounds that interact with enzymes to alter their function and thereby treat diseases.