Enzyme promiscuity

Enzyme promiscuity is a phenomenon where an enzyme exhibits the ability to catalyze a secondary reaction apart from its primary physiological reaction. This characteristic is a fundamental aspect of enzyme evolution and is crucial for the adaptation of organisms to new environments or metabolic challenges.

Overview

Enzyme promiscuity is often a result of the enzyme's broad substrate specificity, allowing it to act on different substrates and catalyze different types of reactions. This is in contrast to the traditional view of enzymes as highly specific catalysts. The degree of promiscuity varies among enzymes, with some exhibiting high promiscuity and others showing only a slight deviation from their primary function.

Role in Evolution

Enzyme promiscuity plays a significant role in enzyme evolution. It provides a starting point for the evolution of new enzymatic functions by allowing enzymes to catalyze different reactions. Over time, these secondary reactions can become the primary function of the enzyme through a process known as neofunctionalization.

Types of Enzyme Promiscuity

There are two main types of enzyme promiscuity: substrate promiscuity and catalytic promiscuity. Substrate promiscuity refers to the ability of an enzyme to act on different substrates, while catalytic promiscuity refers to the ability of an enzyme to catalyze different types of reactions.

Implications in Biotechnology

The promiscuous activities of enzymes have significant implications in biotechnology. They can be exploited for the production of novel compounds, the degradation of environmental pollutants, and the development of new biosynthetic pathways.

See Also

• Enzyme kinetics
• Protein engineering
• Directed evolution