Ligand (biochemistry)
Ligand (biochemistry)
Ligand (pronounced: /ˈlaɪɡənd/) in biochemistry refers to a substance that forms a complex with a biomolecule to serve a biological purpose. The etymology of the word 'ligand' comes from the Latin word 'ligandum', meaning 'that which binds', in reference to the binding action of the ligand.
Function
In protein-ligand binding, the ligand is usually a molecule which produces a signal by binding to a site on a target protein. The binding typically results in a change of conformational isomerism (conformation) of the target protein. In DNA-ligand binding studies, the ligand can be a small molecule, ion, or protein which binds to the DNA double helix.
Types of Ligands
There are several types of ligands including cofactors, inhibitors, activators, and substrates. Each of these ligands has a different effect on the biomolecule they bind to.
Cofactors
Cofactors are non-protein chemical compounds that are required for a protein's biological activity. They bind to proteins and are integral to the function of the enzyme.
Inhibitors
Inhibitors are molecules that bind to enzymes and decrease their activity. They can bind to the active site of the enzyme or to another site, known as the allosteric site.
Activators
Activators are proteins that increase the activity of enzymes. They can bind to the enzyme and induce a conformational change that increases the enzyme's activity.
Substrates
Substrates are molecules upon which an enzyme acts. They bind to the active site of the enzyme and are converted into products through a series of chemical reactions.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ligand (biochemistry)
- Wikipedia's article - Ligand (biochemistry)
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