Page 186 - The Manga Guide to Biochemistry
P. 186
Hydrolases Hydrolase Remember, a water
molecule is made up of
As the name two hydrogens and one
suggests, a
hydrolase is an oxygen: H2 O.
enzyme that uses
water to break down A hydrolase splits
its substrate. this into H and OH.
Hydrolases are
represented by
EC 3.X.X.X.
It then inserts these into Hydrolase Break it
a substrate to break it up, guys!
down into two parts!
It’s like breaking If you think of the
up a fight! parts of a substrate as
two people holding hands,
Or separating hydrolase separates them
two people in by making one hold H and
love... the other hold OH.
Hydrolase is what breaks
down the common currency
of energy (ATP)!
α-amylase, which breaks Now, let’s examine the work
down starch, and pepsin, of α-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1)!
which breaks down
protein...
Protein Starch
...are both The α-amylase in
hydrolases! our saliva breaks
172 Chapter 4 down starches,
such as rice.
