Coenzyme

From Free net encyclopedia

A coenzyme is an organic non-protein molecule that is a functional part of an enzyme. Coenzymes are generally defined as cofactors that are organic molecules. Many coenzymes are phosphorylated water-soluble vitamins. However, nonvitamins may also be coenzymes, such as heme coenzymes in catalytic hemoproteins. Coenzymes covalently or non-covalently bind to the inactive apoenzyme to form the active holoenzyme.

Coenzymes are not used up in the reactions in which they assist (for example: a coenzyme may act as a reduction/oxidation agent or agent of a similar transfer).

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