Enzymes -The Drivers of Change

Enzymes are specialized organic substances that catalyze the rate of many chemical reactions in enzymatic reactions for both animals and plants. The human body has over 1000 enzymes which are very specific about the kind of reactions they catalyze as opposed to other catalysts which may be involved in many forms of reactions. Without them, many reactions would be very slow, no wonder scientists refer to them as “agents of life!”

These enzymes combine with molecules (substrates) at the beginning of the enzymatic reactions and go through a four-step process to convert them into different molecules (products) at the end as outlined below:

1.Formation of complex between enzyme and substrate
2.Conversion of complex into an enzyme intermediate complex
3.Further conversion to complex between the enzyme and product
4.Dissociation of enzyme from product

The enzymes speed such reactions by lowering the activation energy for the reaction thus substantially increasing the rate of the reaction. In addition, just like other catalysts, enzymes are neither affected by the reactions that they catalyze nor do they alter the equilibrium for these reactions.

Being specific in nature, enzymes are required to operate under certain substrate concentrations, chemical environment and temperatures. Other enzymes known as inhibitors can also inhibit enzymes. In reference to this, many drugs and poisons are enzyme inhibitors.

The vast importance of these agents of life makes it necessary for their adequate availability in the body. Most enzymes are manufactured within our bodies, others obtained from our diets while others from supplements. It is advisable that we include raw foods in our diet because the subjection of food to heat during cooking destroys valuable enzymes.

Enzymes are categorized broadly depending on the type of reaction they control. For example;

Metabolic enzymes - regulate blood, tissue and organ functions

Digestive enzymes - speed up breaking of food and absorption of nutrients

Cardiac enzymes - speed up certain biological processes

Restriction enzymes - sticks on active sides of harmful substrates to prevent them from reacting

Individual enzymes on the other hand are named by adding “ase” to the substrate, which they react with. Examples are lipase which acts on lipids, hydrolase which act on water among many others. However, some few enzymes like rennin, trypsin and pepsin retain the names used before this nomenclature was enacted.

Some of the life-changing uses of enzymes have been mentioned above. Other uses include:

Breakdown of old cells that have been worn out, recycling them and creating new healthier cells.

Streptokinase is used in the body as a therapeutic agent. This is mainly involved in controlling blood clotting.

Enzymes also help in phagocytosis which is a key defense mechanisms in human beings when it comes to prevention and fighting of diseases.

Noestigmine is used to treat myasthenia gravis (a disease that causes severe muscle weakness) and inhibits the enzyme cholinesterase.

L-asparaginase is also is also believed to be an effective weapon in fighting leukemia.

The class of enzymes called dextrinases is alleged to cure tooth aches.

Trypsin is used in the removal of foreign matter and dead tissues from wounds.

Other uses that are not focused on the human body but are equally important commercially comprise:

Synthesis of antibiotics

Zymase, maltase and invertase are used in manufacture of alcoholic drinks which was first pioneered by Louis Pasteur in 1857

Some household products incorporate the use of enzymes to speed up biochemical reactions e.g. washing powders

The lack of enzymes in the body has adverse effects. Recent research reveals that diseases such as albinism is caused by lack of tyrosinase, phenylketonuria is caused by lack of phenyl alanine hydroxylase among other life threatening illnesses.

It is in the same breath that an emphasis should be laid on proper diets and enzyme supplements to replenish the number of enzymes in our bodies.

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