Unit 17 - Enzyme Application

What is the main advantage of using enzymes in detergents?

They reduce the need for harsh chemicals and allow effective cleaning at lower temperatures.

Which enzyme class is used to break down protein stains in laundry?

Proteases (e.g., subtilisin).

What enzyme class is used to break down fat-based stains?

Lipases.

What enzymes help break down starch in laundry applications?

Amylases.

What do glucanases and cellulases target in laundry?

Fiber-based soil and residues like cotton stains.

What are pectinases used for in the food industry?

Juice clarification.

What is the role of proteases like papain and bromelain in food processing?

They tenderize meat by breaking down connective tissue proteins.

What role do enzymes play in brewing?

Assist fermentation and breakdown of grain components.

What is enzyme replacement therapy (ERT)?

A treatment that replaces missing or dysfunctional enzymes in patients with genetic disorders.

Name two therapeutic enzymes used in ERT.

Agalsidase beta and alglucosidase alpha.

What is the function of cerezyme?

ERT for Gaucher's disease (glucocerebrosidase deficiency).

How does asparaginase work as an anticancer drug?

It depletes asparagine, starving leukemia cells that can't make their own.

What is the role of methionine-γ-lyase in cancer treatment?

Depletes methionine to inhibit tumor growth.

What is the function of lactase in therapeutic applications?

Breaks down lactose to prevent symptoms in lactose-intolerant individuals.

Why must therapeutic lactase be acid-stable?

So it can survive the stomach and act in the small intestine.

What is PEGylation of enzymes?

Chemical attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains to enzymes.

Why is PEGylation done?

To increase stability, reduce immune response, and prolong circulation time.

How does PEGylation affect kidney clearance of enzymes?

It reduces filtration, keeping enzymes in the bloodstream longer.

What percentage of FDA-approved drugs target enzymes?

About 47%.

What is an example of a drug that inhibits a human enzyme?

Methotrexate, which inhibits dihydrofolate reductase.

Why are enzymes attractive drug targets?

They catalyze essential reactions and are highly specific.

What do enzyme-linked immunoassays (like ELISA) rely on?

Enzymes to generate a detectable signal (e.g., color).

What is HRPO (horseradish peroxidase) used for?

It's an enzyme used in ELISA to produce a colored product.

What are diagnostic enzymes used for?

Medical testing, biosensors, and detecting disease markers.

What is an example of a biosensor using enzymes?

Glucose meters use glucose oxidase to measure blood sugar.

What are multi-enzyme cascades used for?

Efficiently synthesize complex molecules like pharmaceuticals.

What is islatravir and how was it synthesized?

An antiviral drug synthesized using a 3-enzyme cascade.

What is the advantage of biocatalysis in drug synthesis?

High specificity, mild conditions, and fewer side products.

What is ring-opening polymerization?

A reaction used to create biodegradable polymers with enzymes.

How do enzymes contribute to green chemistry?

They replace harsh chemicals with environmentally friendly processes.

How are enzymes used in bioremediation?

To break down toxic pollutants into harmless compounds.

What is synthetic biology?

Engineering organisms to produce new compounds using designed pathways.

How can enzymes be used in synthetic biology?

By building or reprogramming metabolic pathways to make drugs, fuels, or materials.

How do enzymes contribute to sustainability?

They reduce energy use, waste, and harmful byproducts.

Why are enzymes useful in pharmaceutical manufacturing?

They provide high selectivity and reduce purification steps.

What is the benefit of using enzymes in food processing?

Improved texture, flavor, and shelf life with minimal chemical use.

What kind of enzymes are used in baking?

Amylases (for starch breakdown) and proteases (for dough conditioning).

Why are enzymes preferred over chemical catalysts in many industries?

They are more specific, work under milder conditions, and are biodegradable.

What is the role of mannanases in detergent formulations?

They break down gum-like soil and improve cleaning.

What are glucanases used for in textiles?

To remove microfibrils and enhance fabric appearance.

What makes subtilisin a common detergent protease?

It’s stable, broad-spectrum, and efficient at cutting peptide bonds.

What’s the general challenge of using enzymes in industrial applications?

Maintaining stability under harsh or variable conditions.

What are engineered enzymes?

Enzymes that have been modified to improve performance or expand function.

How is enzyme stability improved in industrial settings?

By protein engineering or formulation with stabilizers.

How can enzyme specificity be modified?

By directed evolution or site-directed mutagenesis.

What are the benefits of using enzymes in agriculture?

Improved feed digestion, reduced environmental impact, and pathogen control.

What do we call enzymes designed to target and degrade specific biomolecules?

Designer enzymes or synthetic enzymes.

What’s the long-term goal of enzyme-based technologies?

To create cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable industrial and medical solutions.