Enzyme inhibition

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Enzyme inhibition refers to the decrease of enzyme-related processes. The term seems to be used for two different situations:

  • In enzyme production (see protein biosynthesis), inhibition refers to the halting or reduction of the production of an enzyme. This is the opposite of enzyme induction, which triggers or increases production.
  • In enzyme activity, inhibition refers to the decrease of an enzyme's activity, caused by a substance called an enzyme inhibitor. The opposite of an enzyme inhibitor is called an enzyme activator.
  • Suicide inhibition is an irreversible form of enzyme inhibition that occurs when an enzyme binds a substrate analogue and forms an irreversible complex with it through a covalent bond during the "normal" catalysis reaction.