Coenzymes are organic compounds that are necessary for many enzymes for catalytic activity. Enzymes requiring coenzymes include those that catalyze redox reactions, group transfer and isomerization reactions, as well as reactions that form covalent bonds. Most coenzymes are bound to enzymes through non-covalent forces. Some coenzymes can catalyze reactions without an enzyme, but not so effectively as in conjunction with an enzyme.
Most coenzymes are vitamins, vitamin derivatives, or derived from nucleotides. According to the nature of their binding to enzymes, coenzymes can be classified as prosthetic groups and co-substrates. Prosthetic groups are tightly bound coenzymes by covalently or non-covalently interactions. They form an integral part of the active site of an enzyme and do not undergo net changes as catalysts. In contrast, co-substrates are loosely bound coenzymes that usually bind with an enzyme together with other substrates at the beginning of the reaction and are released in an altered form at the end of the reaction.
Based on their chemical properties, coenzymes can be further classified as vitamin or vitamin-derived coenzymes, and non-vitamin or metabolite coenzymes. Non-vitamin coenzymes can be produced by nucleotides, microorganisms, and plants and play a role in various physiological functions, such as the transport of substances and energy, blood coagulation, and metabolism. Adenosine monophosphate, diphosphate and triphosphate (AMP, ADP and ATP) are important coenzymes. They are used to transport energy in the form of high-energy phosphate bonds, and in the presence of appropriate enzymes, this energy can be provided as available energy for biochemical reactions by breaking the bond. Vitamins help the body produce coenzymes, such as B-complex vitamins and vitamin C. NAD and coenzyme A (CoA) or acetyl-CoA are important vitamin-derived coenzymes. CoA contains adenosine-3,5-diphosphate, pantothenic acid-4-phosphate, and thioethanolamine. It participates in the transfer of acetyl groups and functional groups. As the main substrate and cofactor involved in various metabolic reactions, CoA and its derivatives have a crucial impact on various physiological processes, mainly including modulating lipid and ketone metabolism, as well as protein modification. CoA plays a key role in regulating lipid metabolism, affecting the energy state and signal transduction of cells. Numerous studies have showed the association between lipid disorders related to CoA and a series of diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular diseases.
Amerigo Scientific offers high-purity coenzymes and derivatives to meet the rigorous demands of research. Our extensive catalog includes a wide range of essential cofactors and specialized derivatives for the studies of metabolic pathways, redox reactions, enzyme kinetics, and drug discovery. Our products undergo stringent quality control to ensure exceptional purity and consistency, minimizing experimental variability.
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