Allosteric Regulatory Enzymes / Edition 1

by Thomas W. Traut

Overview

All enzymes are remarkable since they have the ability to increase the rate of a chemical reaction, often by more than a billion-fold. Allosteric enzymes are even more amazing because the have the additional ability to change their rate in response to cellular activators or inhibitors. This enables them to control the pathway in which they are the regulatory enzyme. Since the effector molecules represent the current status of the cell for a given metabolic pathway, this results in very responsive and balanced metabolic states, and makes it possible for cells and organisms to be appropriately dynamic, and responsive, in a changing environment. This book provides a logical introduction to the limits for enzyme function as dictated by the factors that are limits for life. This book presents a complete description of all the mechanisms used for changing enzyme acticity. Eight enzymes are used as model systems after extensive study of their mechanisms. Wherever possible, the human form of the enzyme is used to illustrate the regulatory features.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441944535
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	11/04/2010
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 2008
Pages:	250
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.24(d)

About the Author

Thomas Traut has a PhD in molecular biology and has studied enzymes since 1974. As a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he has focused on enzyme regulation and taught advanced enzymology to graduate students. Important findings from his research helped to define the mechanism of allosteric control for dissociating enzymes.

Table of Contents

Overview Of Enzymes.- To Enzymes.- The Limits For Life Define The Limits For Enzymes.- Enzyme Kinetics.- Properties And Evolution Of Allosteric Enzymes.- Kinetics Of Allosteric Enzymes.- K-Type Enzymes.- Hemoglobin.- Glycogen Phosphorylase.- Phosphofructokinase.- Ribonucleotide Reductase.- Hexokinase.- V-Type Enzymes.- To V-Type Enzymes.- G Proteins.- Protein Kinases.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:

"This holistic introduction to enzymes in general covers the history of their discovery and the different mechanisms of action before going into an in-depth presentation of particular allosteric enzymes and enzyme families. … This book will be of great help to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows interested in understanding the theory behind the action of allosteric enzymes. … an excellent book of enzymology focusing on the mechanisms employed by allosteric enzymes and their metabolic regulation." (Helen Anni, Doody’s Review Service, October, 2008)

From the Publisher

Reviewer: Helen Anni, PhD (Thomas Jefferson University)
Description: This holistic introduction to enzymes in general covers the history of their discovery and the different mechanisms of action before going into an in-depth presentation of particular allosteric enzymes and enzyme families.
Purpose: According to the author, the objective is to provide a clear description of the various mechanisms that enzymes have adapted during evolution to better serve cellular needs, as cells respond dynamically to changes of their environment. This is a topic not addressed in previous enzymology books and definitely not with the clarity seen here.
Audience: This book will be of great help to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows interested in understanding the theory behind the action of allosteric enzymes. The author has been involved in research in this area for the last 30 years and has published several papers in enzymology.
Features: The first five chapters cover the different enzymatic mechanisms of action and the plethora of parameters involved, with a historical perspective. The remaining chapters detail examples of specific allosteric enzymes and enzyme families. The information is presented in a seamless continuum, starting from first principles, that eliminates the need to check other references. However, the lack of color art may detract from its value. Spelling mistakes (even on the back cover!) and the excessive indexing should be rectified in the next edition.
Assessment: This is an excellent book of enzymology focusing on the mechanisms employed by allosteric enzymes and their metabolic regulation. The author provides a list of the classic books in this field (at the end of chapter 1), but none is currently updated or as inclusive as this one.

Doody's Review Service