Feedback inhibition
Feedback Inhibition
Feedback inhibition (pronounced: /ˈfiːdbæk ɪnˌhɪbɪˈʃən/) is a biological process that helps to regulate the metabolic pathways within an organism. The term originates from the words 'feedback', which refers to the return of a portion of the output of a process or system to the input, and 'inhibition', which refers to the act of restraining or slowing down a process.
Definition
Feedback inhibition is a mechanism that cells use to regulate production levels of various enzymes and metabolites. When the product of a metabolic pathway starts to accumulate, it can bind to an enzyme that acts early in the pathway, inhibiting its function and slowing down the pathway. This prevents the overproduction of the end product and ensures that resources are used efficiently.
Process
The process of feedback inhibition involves the end product of a metabolic pathway acting as an inhibitor of one of the enzymes within the pathway. This is often achieved through allosteric regulation, where the end product binds to a different site on the enzyme (the allosteric site), changing the enzyme's shape and reducing its activity. This effectively slows down or stops the pathway, preventing the overproduction of the end product.
Examples
A classic example of feedback inhibition is the regulation of isoleucine synthesis in bacteria. When isoleucine levels are high, the amino acid binds to the first enzyme in the pathway, threonine deaminase, inhibiting its activity and slowing down isoleucine production.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Feedback inhibition
- Wikipedia's article - Feedback inhibition
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