Human Biochemistry, Volume 1 - Murray R. 1993

Structure and Functions of Proteins and Enzymes
Enzymes: General Properties
Intracellular Distribution of Enzymes

The spatial distribution and cellular compartmentalization of Enzymes, substrates, and Cofactors (see Chapter 2) are of paramount importance. For example, in Liver Cells, glycolytic enzymes are localized in the Cytoplasm, whereas the enzymes of The Citric Acid Cycle reside in the Cell/35.html">Mitochondria.

The distribution of enzymes among subcellular Organelles is studied by preliminary Fractionation of Cell homogenates via high-speed centrifugation, followed by determining the enzyme content in each fraction (see Chapter 2).

The localization of a given enzyme within a tissue or cell can often be established in situ using histochemical Methods ("histoenzymology"). To achieve this, thin (2 to 10 µm) frozen tissue sections are treated with a substrate solution specific to the enzyme in question. At the sites where the enzyme is present, a product of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction is formed. If this product is colored and insoluble, it remains at the site of formation, thereby allowing the enzyme to be localized. Histoenzymology provides a clear and reasonably physiological picture of enzyme distribution.



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