Allosteric is a term used in biochemistry to describe a type of regulation that occurs when a molecule binds to a protein, causing a change in the protein’s shape and activity. This article will explore the definition and meaning of allosteric, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, root words, and example sentences.
Definitions
Allosteric refers to the ability of a molecule to bind to a protein at a site other than the protein’s active site. This binding causes a change in the protein’s conformation, which can either increase or decrease its activity. Allosteric regulation is important in many biological processes, including enzyme activity, gene expression, and signal transduction.
Origin
The term allosteric comes from the Greek words “allo” meaning “other” and “stereos” meaning “solid.” The term was first coined in 1961 by the biochemist Monod, Wyman, and Changeux to describe the regulation of enzyme activity by small molecules.
Meaning in different dictionaries
In the Oxford English Dictionary, allosteric is defined as “relating to or denoting the alteration of the activity of an enzyme or protein by the binding of a regulatory molecule to a site other than the protein’s active site.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines allosteric as “of, relating to, or being a protein molecule that binds with a specific molecule at a site other than the protein’s active site and thereby changes the shape and activity of the protein.”
Associations
Allosteric regulation is associated with many biological processes, including enzyme activity, gene expression, and signal transduction. It is also important in drug discovery, as many drugs work by binding to allosteric sites on proteins and modulating their activity.
Synonyms
Synonyms of allosteric include regulatory, modulatory, and effector.
Antonyms
Antonyms of allosteric include non-regulatory, non-modulatory, and non-effector.
The same root words
The root words of allosteric include “allo” meaning “other” and “stereos” meaning “solid.” Other words that share these roots include allopatric, meaning “living in separate geographical areas,” and stereoisomer, meaning “one of two or more compounds that have the same molecular formula but different three-dimensional structures.”
Example Sentences
- The binding of an allosteric molecule to a protein can either increase or decrease its activity.
- Allosteric regulation is important in many biological processes, including enzyme activity and gene expression.
- Many drugs work by binding to allosteric sites on proteins and modulating their activity.
- The allosteric regulation of enzyme activity is a complex process that involves multiple steps.
- The discovery of new allosteric sites on proteins could lead to the development of novel drugs with improved efficacy and fewer side effects.