The Student Room Group

Enzyme question!

Why might changing certain amino acids that are not part of the active site prevent the enzyme from functioning?

I've already answered the question about changing the active site (bc then the substrate won't fit etc) but i dont know the answer for this one? i've tried googling and couldnt find anything.
Any help is very appreciated!
The nature of the other amino acids that make up the protein also determine the shape of the active site. The difference bonds that form to hold the enzyme together are formed from specific amino acids, for example you cannot have a disulfide bridge without any sulfer. If part of the active site of your enzyme is held in its shape by an amino acid with a certain feature, like a charged region, taking this out and replacing it with an amino acid without that charged region will alter the way the other amino acid is being held in place and so the shape of the active site will also change and it therefore wont be able to function properly.
I think that will be why.

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