How Do Conformational Changes Affect Enzyme Catalysis?
Enzyme catalysis is profoundly influenced by conformational changes. Upon substrate binding, enzymes often undergo a structural rearrangement that brings catalytic residues into optimal positions for the chemical reaction. This induced fit mechanism not only enhances the reaction rate but also increases the specificity of the enzyme for its substrate. Additionally, these changes can facilitate the formation of transition states, thereby stabilizing them and further lowering the activation energy.
