Topic 8.

1 Metabolism

Competitive Inhibition Non-competitive Inhibition

Structure It is chemically quite similar to the substrate. It has no similarity to the substrate.
of
inhibitor
Binding It binds to the active site of the enzyme. Binding of the inhibitor to the enzyme (allosteric site) modifies its
site The binding of a competitive inhibitor is reversible active site, hence preventing binding of substrate
Binding of a non-competitive inhibitor is usually reversible

Increase As the concentration of substrate is increased, the effect of the inhibitor Increasing the concentration of the substrate does not decrease the
substrate on the reaction is reduced. impact of the inhibitor. Therefore, the rate of reaction is lower than
normal at all substrate concentrations.

Example Enzyme: Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase Enzyme: Angiotensin converting enzyme

Substrate: Acetaldehyde Product: Angiotensin
Product: Acetic acid Inhibitor: ACE Inhibitor
Inhibitor: Antabuse (Disulfiram) ACE Inhibitors can prevent angiotensin converting enzyme in your
Alcohol is oxidised to acetaldehyde which is broken down by the enzyme body from producing angiotensin (a substance that narrows your
alcohol dehydrogenase to acetic acid (harmless). Disulfiram is a drug that blood vessels)
binds to alcohol dehydrogenase and prevents acetaldehyde from being
converted to acetic acid. In this way when alcohol is drunk, and
disulfiram is taken, the person feels the hangover very fast. The drug
helps people suffering from chronic alcoholism.

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