| allosteric | <biochemistry, chemistry> Of a binding site in a protein, usually an enzyme. The catalytic function of an enzyme may be modified by interaction with small molecules, not only at the active site, but also at a spatially distinct (allosteric) site of different specificity. Of a protein, a protein possessing such a site. An allosteric effector is a molecule bound at such a site that increases or decreases the activity of the enzyme. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| allosteric enzyme | <biochemistry, chemistry> A regulatory enzyme whose activity is modified by the noncovalent binding of a particular metabolite at a site (the allosteric site) other than the active site. (09 Oct 1997) |
| allosteric site | A specific site on a multi-subunit enzyme or other protein that is not the substrate binding site, but that when reversibly bound by an effector, induces a conformational change in the protein, altering its catalytic or binding properties. (12 Dec 1998) |