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Enzymes:- Part 1 – Introduction of Enzymes

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Introduction of Enzymes
Sample for enzyme estimation
1. The serum is considered to be the best sample as compared to plasma.
1. The best sample to prepare the serum is venous blood.
2. The plasma may interfere with some enzymes, like acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase.
3. Capillary blood may show some abnormality in Lactate dehydrogenase.
1. Capillary blood has increased total LD and abnormal LD isoenzymes.

Definition and pathophysiology of enzymes

Definition Of Enzyme:
1. Enzymes are protein catalysts in all body cells and have a specific reaction. These enzymes make life possible.
2. These are proteins, and they work as a catalyst and they increase the rate of a chemical reaction.
1. The enzyme does not affect the point of equilibrium.
2. Enzyme enters the reaction but is not consumed.
3. Enzyme = E, Substrate = S, Enzyme-substrate complex = E+S  Product = P
1. E + S ↔ E-S ↔ P + E
3. Enzymes catalyze all-important reactions like:
1. Reduction.
2. Oxidation.
3. Esterification.
4. Hydrolysis.
5. Molecular interconversion.
6. Synthesis.
4. These enzymes reactions supply energy or chemical changes necessary for vital activities like:
1. Nerve conduction.
2. Muscle contraction.
3. Digestion.
4. Respiration.
5. Reproduction.
6. Growth.
7. Maintenance of the body temperature.
5. The enzyme is a catalyst that increases the rate of a particular chemical reaction without being consumed or permanently altered.
1. The enzymes will accelerate the rate of reaching equilibrium.
2. All enzymes are proteins synthesized in the body similarly to other proteins.
3. Each enzyme synthesis is under the control of a specific gene.
6. Life is an integrated series of enzymatic reactions whenever a change in enzyme reaction leads to diseases.
7. Enzymes are a sensitive indicator of pathological changes in any organ.

Mechanism of enzyme reaction:

1. Enzymes catalyze the conversion of one or more compounds (SUBSTRATES) into one or more different compounds (Products).
2. The enzyme molecule has an active center where the substrate combines.
3. Substrates are brought together in the active center to activate and transform the substrate.

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Introduction of Enzymes: Enzyme’s reaction equation


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Introduction of Enzymes: Mechanism of enzyme reaction

Classification of enzymes:
The enzymes are identified by the type of reaction which is catalyzed and the substrate involved. On this basis, these are classified into the following
groups:

1. Transferases: This will catalyze the transfer of moieties like glycosyl, methyl, or phosphoryl group.
2. Lyases: It will catalyze the cleavage of C–C, C–O, C–N, and other bonds by eliminating atoms, leaving double bonds.
3. Oxidoreductase: It will catalyze oxidation and reduction.
4. Hydrolases: These will catalyze and lead to hydrolytic cleavage of C–C, C–O, C–N, and other bonds.
5. Ligases: These will catalyze the joining of two molecules coupled to the hydrolysis of ATP.
6. Isomerases: These will catalyze geometric or structural changes within a molecule.

Types of the enzymes in the blood:

1. Cellular enzymes are present in the cells, which are secreted into the blood when an injury to cells, like LDH, alkaline phosphatase,
aminotransferases, and others.
2. Secreted enzymes are secreted from the glands, like lipase, amylase, trypsin, and acid phosphatase.
3. Plasma-specific enzymes are serine protease, thrombin, factor X, and plasminogen.
4. Functional plasma enzymes:
1. Certain enzymes, proenzymes and their substrates are present all the time in the blood of normal individuals.
2. These enzymes perform normal physiologic functions.
3. Examples are lipoprotein lipase, pseudocholinesterase, and proenzyme of the coagulation process.
4. Mostly these enzymes are secreted and synthesized in the liver.
5. Nonfunctional plasma enzymes:
1. These are the physiologic enzymes present in the blood without any known physiologic function.
2. These are liberated from the ruptured RBCs, WBCs, and other cells.
3. These enzymes level increase in case of injury to the cells.

Variables For The Functional Activity Of Enzymes (Factors Affecting The Rate Of Enzyme Catalytic Reaction) Depend
Upon The Following:
1. The concentration of the enzymes:
1. The role of the enzyme depends upon the concentration of the enzymes.
2. The velocity of the reaction is directly proportional to the enzyme concentration.
3. The reaction is more rapid when there is enough amount of the enzyme to bind the abundant substrate; this is a mass action effect.
2. The concentration of the substrate:
1. It depends upon the concentration of the substrate.
2. A curve is shown in the following diagram when there is a fixed amount of enzyme against the increasing amount of substrate.
3. With a fixed enzyme and increasing substrate concentration, the reaction reaches a plateau; after that, there is no change.
4. After points C and D, the reaction reached the plateau.
5. The reaction will fall to zero.

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Enzyme and substrate relationship

3. pH:
1. The enzymes are proteins in nature, carrying a negative charge.
2. These negatively charged molecules are pH-sensitive.
3. The binding of the enzyme with the substrate is pH-dependent.
4. There is a role of pH in the enzyme reaction. Most enzymes react between a pH of 7 to 8.
5. Few react at low pHs, like pepsin at 1.5.
6. While alkaline phosphatase reacts at a pH of 10.5
7. Optimum pH is needed for various reactions.
4. Temperature:
1. Enzyme reaction depends upon the temperature.
2. The rate of the enzyme reaction velocity is proportional to the temperature.
3. The velocity of the reaction is double for every 10 °C rises.
4. The enzymes are proteins, so they are very sensitive to temperature ranges.
5. When enzymes are exposed to 60 °C and above, these are mostly denatured.
6. Mostly our enzymes are effective at 37 °C to 38 °C. Their activity decreases if the temperature goes over 42 °C to 45 °C.
7. The enzyme activity is preserved when stored at a low temperature. Enzyme activity can be maintained for months from -20 °C to -70 °C.
5. Ionic strength:
1. Most enzymes are sensitive to some of the buffer ions in the incubation mixture.
2. Some of the cations at the appropriate concentration are needed for the best action of the enzymes.
3. Presence of specific ions like activator or inhibitor.
4. Any other substance that alters the enzyme configuration affects its activity.

The inhibitors of the enzyme reaction:

1. These inhibitors may be either reversible or irreversible.
2. Reversible inhibitors:
1. In this case enzymes, activity is restored to normal when this inhibitor is removed from the body.
3. Irreversible inhibitors:
1. These inhibitors bind covalently with the enzyme. Their effect progresses with time; it is complete when their amount increases than the
enzyme.
4. Inhibition  by the antibody:
1. Sometimes there is no effect of the antibody, but the antibody may reduce or abolish enzyme activity in some cases.
2. Enzymes names are in two parts:
1. The first part is from the substrate.
2. The second part ends with “case.”

Functions and characteristics of enzyme:

1. Enzymes do not affect the point of equilibrium.
2. Enzymes enter into the reaction but are not consumed.
3. Enzymes act on the substrate and form the enzyme + substrate complex.
4. Enzyme + Substrate = Product + Enzyme.

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Enzyme reaction and measurement of the end product

5. Enzymes are in very low concentration, so usually, these are not measured, but they are assessed by what they do.
6. So basically, to assess the enzymes, there is an assessment of the substrate decrease in the reaction or increase in the product.

(https://labpedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/enzymes-1.jpg)
Enzymes characteristics

7. The enzyme increases:

1. By increasing leakage from the cells.
1. This is seen in cell stress or cell necrosis.
2. Increased production of the enzyme.
1. Some drugs increase enzyme production.
2. The proliferation of the cells produces specific enzymes.

Factors affecting enzymes level are: 

1. Hemolysis:

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1. There is increased activity in the LDH because of increased LDH in the RBCs (150 times more than the serum). So traces of hemolysis will
increase the level.
2. SGOT (AST) is also elevated due to this enzyme in the RBCs. (There is 15 times more activity in the RBCs).
3. Acid phosphatase is mildly raised due to hemolysis.
4. There is increased activity in the LDH because of increased LDH in the RBCs (150 times more than the serum). So traces of hemolysis will
increase the level.
5. SGOT (AST) is also elevated due to this enzyme in the RBCs. (There are 15 times more active in the RBCs).
6. Acid phosphatase is mildly raised due to hemolysis.
2. Effect of storage:
1. Serum or plasma should be separated as soon as possible from RBCs.
2. Enzymes are usually stable for 8 to 12 hours at room temperature in the serum or plasma.
3. While enzymes are stable for 5 to 7 days at -4 °C.
4. When kept at -20 °C, then stable from weeks to months.
5. At -70° C, these are stable for an indefinite period.
3. Patient variables:
1. A fasting sample is always preferred.
2. The alkaline phosphatase level is elevated after eating the food (the Intestine has a high alkaline phosphatase level).
3. The alkaline phosphatase level is very high at birth and in growing children. It comes to the adult level by 15 to 17 years in females and 18
to 20 years in males. Overall there is a variation of these enzymes with age.
4. SGOT (AST) and SGPT (ALT) are raised at birth and reach a normal level by 2 to 4 months.
5. Gamma GT (glutamyltransferase) is raised at birth and comes to the adult level by 6 months of age.
6. Aldolase is also raised at birth and in young children. It comes to a normal level by the age of 16 years.
7. Creatinine kinase is higher in males than females.
8. AST, Creatinine kinase, and LDH may be raised after the exercise.
9. Intramuscular injection may increase the value of Creatinine Kinase, AST, and LDH.
4. Leakage of the enzyme from the cells.
5. Altered enzyme production.
6. Clearance of the enzyme.

Clinically Important Enzymes Commonly Used In Various Diseases:

Enzymes Source of these Diagnostic importance

enzymes

Alkaline Liver, bone, 1. Bone diseases

phosphatase intestine, 2. Obstructive liver
placenta, kidneys, diseases
Polys

Acid Prostate, RBCs, 1. Prostatic diseases

phosphatase bone, platelets 2. Prostatic metastatic 
carcinoma

Amylase Pancreas, Acute pancreatitis

salivary glands,
ovary

Lipase Pancreas Acute pancreatitis

Aldolase Muscle, heart Muscular diseases

LDH Liver, muscle, For myocardial infarction

heart, RBCs, polys

CK Muscles, brain, 1. Myocardial

heart infarction
2. Muscle diseases

ALT Liver, heart, 1. Liver cells injuries

muscle, RBCs 2. Viral hepatitis
3. myocardial
infarction

AST Liver, skeletal 1. Liver cells injuries

muscle, and heart 2. Viral hepatitis
muscle 3. myocardial
infarction

Gamma GT Liver, kidney, 1. Liver diseases

endothelium 2. Alcoholic liver cell
injury

PSA Prostate For prostatic carcinoma

CK-MB Heart muscles, Acute myocardial

Skeletal muscle infarction

CK-BB Brain Stroke or brain injury

CK-MM Skeletal and heart Skeletal or cardiac muscle

muscles injury

Ceruloplasmin Blood 1. Wilson’s disease

2. Hepatolenticular
degeneration

Summary of the enzymes: 

1. Enzymes are very effective in biochemical reactions and extremely specific catalysts.

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2. The catalytic activity of the enzymes show:
1. Their presence.
2. Help in their detection.
3. Provides the basis for enzyme-linked immunoassay.
3. Assay of the plasma enzymes helps in:
1. Diagnosis of the diseases like myocardial infarction and viral hepatitis.
2. Help to evaluate prognosis.
4. Most enzymes are assayed spectrophotometrically.
5. Enzymes are present in all body cells, and each one functions in a specific reaction.
6. Enzymes catalyze all essential reactions like oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, esterification, and synthesis that supply the energy and /or
chemical changes necessary for vital activities.
7. Enzymes help in:
1. Nerve conduction.
2. Muscle contraction.
3. Digestion.
4. Respiration.
5. Maintenance of body temperature.
6. Reproduction.
7. Growth.
8. Digestion.
8. Enzymes are under the control of genes.

Questions and answers:

Question 1: Does enzymes are consumed in the chemical reaction?
Show answer
Question 2: What is the importance of CK-MB?
Show answer

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