Cofactors

Cofactor

A non-protein substance that is required by an enzyme for its activity.

Prosthetic group

Permanently bound, non-protein part of an enzyme’s structure.

Inorganic ion cofactors

Bind to the enzyme or substrate to allow the ESC to form more easily.

Example of an inorganic ion cofactor

Amylase requires chloride ions to function.

Where do inorganic ions bind to

They may bind to the active site or substrate to alter the charge distribution, or the may bind to an allosteric site on the enzyme, which alters the shape of the active site.

Coenzymes

Small, organic, non-protein molecules that bind temporarily to the active site. They take part in the reaction and are modified but are later recycled and reused.

What are a lot of coenzymes derived from

Vitamins

Example of a cofactor

vitamin B3 is used to make the coenzyme NAD which is involved in respiration.

A lack in a particular vitamin can lead to what

Deficiency disease.

Example of deficiency diseases

Lack of thiamine causes beriberi.

Lack of vitamin B3 causes pellagra.