Enzymes and Coenzymes

News: Plants with genetically modified enzymes/coenzymes are being contemplated to be launched as source of antioxidants in future food markets.

About Enzymes and Coenzymes

• Enzymes: They are specialized proteins that act as biological catalysts, accelerating the rate of chemical reactions in cells without being consumed or permanently altering themselves.
• Coenzymes: Many enzymes require some molecules as cofactors for efficient functioning. These helper molecules are called coenzymes.
  • They are naturally occurring organic, non-protein molecules that bind to and support the activity of enzymes.
• Types of coenzymes: Based on their chemical nature, coenzymes can be categorized as-
  • Vitamin derived coenzymes like Biotin, NAD⁺, NADP⁺, Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP)
  • Non-vitamin coenzymes like Coenzyme Q

About Coenzyme Q

• It is also known as ubiquinone and is present in every cell membrane.
• Feature: It contains several isoprene units which are antioxidants and offer stability against stress.
• Types: It comes in 10 different types (CoQ1…Q10).
• Functions: Each one of them act as a water-insoluble, but lipid-soluble antioxidant.
  • All these coenzymes play a vital role in the function of the mitochondrion, the major energy producer in the cell.
• Coenzyme Q09: It has nine isoprene units. It is abundantly found in cereal crops like wheat, rice, oats, barley, corn, rye, millet and in plants like cinnamon, avocado and pepper.
• Coenzyme Q10: It occurs naturally in human body. It is a component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain in humans. Since heart have high energy demands and contain high concentrations of CoQ10.
• Advantage of CoQ10: Developing CoQ10-enriched crops offers a cost-effective and sustainable way to enhance nutritional value and improve health benefits.
• In a research, the gene-edited rice demonstrated over 75% CoQ10 accumulation in both grains and leaves.