Background --> Enzymes

Enzymes are large proteins that catalyze reactions.In the case of Molecular man,

he catalyzes the metabolism ofcocaine and heroin and other toxins, enabling

their destruction. Most enzymes are thought of as monogamous couple, like a

lock and key, where one enzyme fits one substrate.

However Molecular man, being the bodacious bachelor that he is

can shift his active site, and bind/metabolize more than one molecule. For example,

molecular man can bind to foxy babe such as Cocaine and metabolize her, but he can

also lower his standards and bind to a ugly molecule with no morals

like heroin, and metabolize it.

Courtesy Of: http://www.angelfire.com/tv2/conanobrien/snlpics.html

For example, molecular man can bind to foxy babe such as Cocaine and metabolize her,

but he can also lower his standards and bind to a ugly molecule with no morals

like heroin, and metabolize it. Heroin having no morals and two ester groups

(an oxygen bonded between two carbons C-O-C), can bind to molecular man two

different ways. He shifts his active site when heroin is in one position and

shifts his active site again when heroin is in another position. The active site

of Molecular man consists of two parts that are involved in substrate

recognition/metabolism. He has a larger flexible pocket and a smaller rigid region.

The rigid region is where most of the “sexual healing” takes place,

while the flexible pocket can move to accommodate different molecules .

Courtesy Of" "Structural Basis of Heroin and Cocaine Metabolism by a Promiscuous Human Drug-Processing Enzyme.”

Picture above shows active site of molecular man bound to heroin in two

different ways showing a shifting of the flexible pocket of the active site

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOLECULAR MAN:

Enzymes ---- Transesterification and Hydrolysis ---- Allostery