Exploring Enzyme Activity
In today’s session the students explored enzyme activity in more mathematical depth, including specific activity and dissociation constants.
They then learned about types of inhibitors and drug design. Though the example of methotrexate (MTX) for use in inhibiting the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase in treating anthrax, we discussed how MTX functions as an inhibitor. We have also identified important differences between MTX and the substrate that allows for tighter binding in the active site. Using the program ChimeraX, the students then looked at the structure of DHFR from anthrax bound to MTX in order to propose changes to MTX to generate a more effective drug for treatment.