Cyclooxygenase (or know as COX) *COXsoundsgay(: is an enzyme that is responsible for the formation of lipid mediator called the prostaglandins.
All living organisms have microorganisms in them. Microorganisms are as parasites, foreign particles or materials that can be found in the body. These microorganisms can cause some negative effects to our body. Hence, in order to destroy these crappy things, the COX will produce large amount of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins will generate heat to kill the bacterias and the foreign particles. However, large amount of prostaglandins also will lead to the increase of temperature in our body. Result is fever.
When we get fever, we will go to the doctors to ask for paracetamol(panadol) or aspirin. Now, most of us dont really know how does this paracetamol or aspirin works. Well here is the explanation. Paracetamol/aspirin will bind to the allosteric site of the enzyme that secretes the prostaglandins which is the COX. Once the binding is done, the active site of the enzyme will change its shape. This makes the 'lock and key' hypothesis to fail. The biochemical substrate that is supposed to bind with COX to secrete prostaglandins now cannot fit at the active site due to the shape change. When there is no binding, there will be no prostaglandins produced. When there is no prostaglandins produced, our body will undergo negative feedback mechanism hence the temperature drops to its normal range.
*allosteric site is the back/bottom side of an enzyme whereas the active site is the front/upper side.
All living organisms have microorganisms in them. Microorganisms are as parasites, foreign particles or materials that can be found in the body. These microorganisms can cause some negative effects to our body. Hence, in order to destroy these crappy things, the COX will produce large amount of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins will generate heat to kill the bacterias and the foreign particles. However, large amount of prostaglandins also will lead to the increase of temperature in our body. Result is fever.
When we get fever, we will go to the doctors to ask for paracetamol(panadol) or aspirin. Now, most of us dont really know how does this paracetamol or aspirin works. Well here is the explanation. Paracetamol/aspirin will bind to the allosteric site of the enzyme that secretes the prostaglandins which is the COX. Once the binding is done, the active site of the enzyme will change its shape. This makes the 'lock and key' hypothesis to fail. The biochemical substrate that is supposed to bind with COX to secrete prostaglandins now cannot fit at the active site due to the shape change. When there is no binding, there will be no prostaglandins produced. When there is no prostaglandins produced, our body will undergo negative feedback mechanism hence the temperature drops to its normal range.
*allosteric site is the back/bottom side of an enzyme whereas the active site is the front/upper side.
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