irreversible

That is not entirely accurate. If the lowest energy state of the protein is also its functional configuration, then denatureing will only inactivate the protein while it is in the unfavorable condition. If you return the protein to a favorable condition, it will (hopefully) assume the lowest energy state, which in my example, is also its functional state. That being said, 9.99 times out of 10, the denatured protein is trashed. I would avoid absolutes. If I have learned anything from schooling, industry, or life, this is no such thing as absolutes.

-Jelanen

Let’s say usually irreversable.

Ok, ok, sorry. Jelanen is right. I try to avoid absolute statements too, but that one slipped 😀 Usually irreversible…

😀 since Einstein’s theory come out…absolute can’t be maintained..it’s relative to each other… 😆

Einstein said TIME is relative to the observer. Totally off topic, but cool story: When the US developed and implemented GPS satellites, they couldn’t get an accurate location determination, they were off by hundreds of meters. Some too-smart-guy decided to add in equations dealing with relativity…DING. Now I can figure out where I am with an EPE of 5m.

-Jelanen

Yeah, i read that too. very interesting indeed.

I’m pretty sure that you can denature an enzyme until a certain point and it will reform the original shape. As long as you don’t change the primary (or is it secondary?) structure of an enzyme it reconfigures. I THINK. I’m not certain.

This said, any sort of heating or change in enviroment that breaks the peptide bonds between the amino acids and alters the primary shape will render it no longer reversible.

An example of the reversible denaturing an an enzyme would be pepsin and pepsinogen in the stomach. The enzyme responsible for digestion of proteins inactive in a certain pH, then active when the pH level becomes favorable.

It’s secondary and tertiary. And, with a few exceptions, it is irreversible…
jelanen pointed out the exceptions…

No, reread the posts above and you’ll see that whether you can regain enzyme activity after denaturization depends on what the active energy state of the enzyme is. If the active conformation is also the lowest energy state, then you have a better chance of regaining activity. The enzyme might also reform into a higher conformational energy state, that is inactive. It would be so much easier if I could draw it for you, much easier to understand that way.

-Jelanen