Effector

Effector is a term used in biology and biochemistry to refer to molecules that bind to proteins or receptors and alter their activity. They can be positive (enhancers) or negative (inhibitors) and are often used in the regulation of metabolism and cell signaling.

Overview

In the context of cell biology, an effector is a molecule that binds to a protein and thereby alters the activity of that protein. Some effectors bind to enzymes to activate or inhibit them, and others bind to receptors to trigger a response.

Types of Effectors

There are two main types of effectors: positive and negative.

Positive Effectors

Positive effectors, also known as activators, enhance the function of proteins. They often work by binding to the protein and inducing a conformational change that increases the protein's activity.

Negative Effectors

Negative effectors, also known as inhibitors, decrease the function of proteins. They often work by binding to the protein and inducing a conformational change that decreases the protein's activity.

Role in Metabolism

Effectors play a crucial role in the regulation of metabolism. They can bind to metabolic enzymes to increase or decrease their activity, thereby controlling the rate of metabolic reactions. This allows the cell to respond to changes in its environment and maintain homeostasis.

Role in Cell Signaling

In cell signaling, effectors act as intermediaries between the receptor and the second messenger system. When a signaling molecule binds to a receptor, the receptor changes shape and activates an effector. The effector then triggers a series of reactions that lead to a response.

See Also

• Enzyme
• Receptor (biochemistry)
• Metabolism
• Cell signaling

References

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