Enzymes and Coenzymes

Enzymes and Coenzymes Latest News

The recent issue of Nature highlighted biofortified rice varieties, a major breakthrough from CAS, Beijing, under the title ‘Gene-edited plants make the jump from farm to factory’.

About Enzymes

• Enzymes are proteins that catalyse biochemical reactions, enhancing the efficiency of cellular metabolism.
• Many enzymes require helper molecules for proper function. These are called cofactors, and when they are organic molecules, they are termed coenzymes.
• Coenzymes bind to enzymes and support their activity, playing a crucial role in various metabolic pathways.

What is Coenzyme Q (Ubiquinone)?

• Coenzyme Q (CoQ), also known as ubiquinone, is an organic antioxidant molecule with multiple isoprene units.
• It exists in ten different forms, from CoQ1 to CoQ10, and is lipid-soluble but water-insoluble.
• Coenzyme Q is vital for mitochondrial function and is found in every cell membrane, where it aids cellular energy production.

Significance of CoQ9 in Plants

• CoQ9, containing nine isoprene units, is predominantly produced in cereal crops such as wheat, rice, oats, barley, corn, rye, and millet.
• It is also found in bamboo, barley, and flowering plants like cinnamon, avocado, and pepper.

Importance of CoQ10 in Human Health

• CoQ10 is an essential part of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, generating the majority of the body’s cellular energy.
• Organs like the heart, which have high energy demands, contain high levels of CoQ10.
• Although CoQ9 is available in staple foods, humans require additional CoQ10 due to genetic factors, aging, and neurological disorders.

Enzymes and Coenzymes FAQs

Q1: What are enzymes?
Ans: Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed in the process.

Q2: What are coenzymes?
Ans: Coenzymes are organic, non-protein molecules that bind to enzymes and assist them in catalysing reactions, often derived from vitamins.

Q3: How do enzymes and coenzymes differ?
Ans: Enzymes are proteins that directly catalyse reactions, while coenzymes assist enzymes by carrying chemical groups or electrons from one enzyme to another.

Source: TH