Important Enzymes and Macro Molecules of Life

Arginase is a manganese-containing enzyme. The reaction catalyzed by this enzyme is: arginine + H2O → ornithine + urea. It is the final enzyme of the urea cycle. It is ubiquitous to all domains of life.

Sucrase is secreted by the tips of the villi of the epithelium in the small intestine. Its levels are reduced in response to villi-blunting events such as celiac sprue and the inflammation associated with the disorder. The levels increase in pregnancy/lactation and diabetes as the villi hypertrophy.

In prokaryotes, RecQ is necessary for plasmid recombination and DNA repair from UV-light, free radicals and alkylating agents. This protein can also reverse damage from replication errors. In eukaryotes, replication does not proceed normally in the absence of RecQ proteins, which also function in aging, silencing, recombination and DNA repair.

α-Parinaric acid occurs naturally in the seeds of the makita tree. Both the alpha and beta (all trans) isomers of parinaric acid are used as molecular probes of lipid-lipid interactions by monitoring phase transitions in bilayer lipid membranes. α-Parinaric acid was shown to integrate normally into the phospholipid bilayer of mammalian cells.

The three-dimensional structure of the enzyme determines the appearance of the active site. The active site accommodates the shape of the biological substrate that requires transformation. They fit like a key in a lock. This is what makes enzymes specific in their actions. Only substances of the right shape will be transformed.

Cytoglobin is a globin molecule ubiquitously expressed in all tissues and most notably utilized in marine mammals. It is thought to protect against hypoxia. The function of cytoglobin is the transfer of oxygen from arterial blood to the brain.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar and a prominent precursor in the biochemical synthesis of glycosylated proteins and lipids. Glucosamine is part of the structure of the polysaccharides chitosan and chitin, which compose the exoskeletons of crustaceans.

Thromboxane A2 is a thromboxane. It is produced by activated platelets and has prothrombotic properties. It stimulates activation of new platelets as well as increases platelet aggregation.

Prenol lipids are synthesized from the five-carbon-unit precursors isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate. Carotenoids are important simple isoprenoids that function as antioxidants and as precursors of vitamin A.

It is a dual function protein, regulating the coordination of cell–cell adhesion and gene transcription. Mutations and overexpression of β-catenin are associated with many cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, lung cancer, malignant breast tumors, ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Elastin is a protein in connective tissue that is elastic and allows many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting. Elastin helps skin to return to its original position when it is poked or pinched.

This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, specifically those acting on carboxylic ester bonds. This enzyme participates in bile acid biosynthesis.

It provides resistance to our body and inhibits the growth of hair, nails etc.

The stomach has a priority to destroy the bacteria and viruses using its highly acidic environment but also has a duty to protect its own lining from its acid. The way that the stomach achieves this is by secreting mucin and bicarbonate via its mucous cells, and also by having a rapid cell turn-over.

This is a significant brush border enzyme.This enzyme decreases with age, and as such lactose intolerance is often a common abdominal complaint in the older population, manifesting with bloating, abdominal pain and osmotic diarrhea.