The Concerted and Sequential Models for Allosteric Enzymes

The Concerted and Sequential Models for Allosteric Enzymes

The two principal models for the behavior of allosteric enzymes are the concerted model and the sequential model. They were proposed in 1965 and 1966, respectively, and both are currently used as a basis for interpreting experimental results. The concerted model has the advantage of comparative simplicity, and it describes the behavior of some enzyme systems very well.

The sequential model sacrifices a certain amount of simplicity for a more realistic picture of the structure and behavior of proteins; it also deals very well with the behavior of some enzyme systems.

What is the concerted model for allosteric behavior?

In 1965, Jacques Monod, Jeffries Wyman, and Jean-Pierre Changeux proposed the concerted model for the behavior of allosteric proteins in a paper that has become a classic in the biochemical literature. In this picture, the protein has two conformations, the active R (relaxed) conformation, which binds substrate tightly, and the inactive T (tight, also called taut) conformation, which binds substrate less tightly. The distinguishing feature of this model is that the conformations of all subunits change simultaneously. Figure 7.4a shows a hypothetical protein with two subunits. Both subunits change conformation from the inactive T conformation to the active R conformation at the same time; that is, a concerted change of conformation occurs. The equilibrium ratio of the T/R forms is called L and is assumed to be high-that is, more enzyme is present in the unbound T form than in the unbound R form. The binding of substrate to either form can be described by the dissociation constant of the enzyme and substrate, K, with the affinity for substrate higher in the R form than in the T form. Thus, K_R<<K_T. The ratio of K_R/K_T is called c. Figure 7.4b shows a limiting case in which K_Tis infinitely greater than K_R(c = 0). In other words, substrate will not bindto the T form at all. The allosteric effect is explained by this model based on perturbing the equilibrium between the T and R forms. Although initially the amount of enzyme in the R form is small, when substrate binds to the R form, it removes free R form. This causes the production of more R form to reestablish the equilibrium, which makes binding more substrate possible. This shifting of the equilibrium is responsible for the observed allosteric effects. The Monod–Wyman–Changeux model has been shown mathematically to explain the sigmoidal effects seen with allosteric enzymes. The shape of the curve will be based on the L and c values. As L increases (free T form more highly favored), the shape becomes more sigmoidal (Figure 7.5). As the value for c decreases (higher affinity between substrate and R form), the shape also becomes more sigmoidal.

In the concerted model, the effects of inhibitors and activators can also be considered in terms of shifting the equilibrium between the T and R forms of the enzyme. The binding of inhibitors to allosteric enzymes is cooperative; allo-steric inhibitors bind to and stabilize the T form of the enzyme. The binding of activators to allosteric enzymes is also cooperative; allosteric activators bind to and stabilize the R form of the enzyme. When an activator, A, is present, the cooperative binding of A shifts the equilibrium between the T and R forms, with the R form favored (Figure 7.6). As a result, there is less need for substrate, S, to shift the equilibrium in favor of the R form, and less cooperativity in the binding of S is seen.

When an inhibitor, I, is present, the cooperative binding of I also shifts the equilibrium between the T and R forms, but this time the T form is favored (Figure 7.6). More substrate is needed to shift the T-to-R equilibrium in favor of the R form. A greater degree of cooperativity is seen in the binding of S.

What is the sequential model for allosteric behavior?

The name Daniel Koshland is associated with the direct sequential model of allosteric behavior. The distinguishing feature of this model is that the binding of substrate induces the conformational change from the T form to the R form-the type of behavior postulated by the induced-fit theory of substrate binding. A conformational change from T to R in one subunit makes the same conformational change easier in another subunit, and this is the form in which cooperative binding is expressed in this model (Figure 7.7a).

In the sequential model, the binding of activators and inhibitors also takes place by the induced-fit mechanism. The conformational change that begins with binding of inhibitor or activator to one subunit affects the conformations of other subunits. The net result is to favor the R state when activator is present and to favor the T form when inhibitor, I, is present (Figure 7.7b). 

Binding I to one subunit causes a conformational change such that the T form is even less likely to bind substrate than before. This conformational change is passed along to other subunits, making them also more likely to bind inhibitor and less likely to bind substrate. This is an example of cooperative behavior that leads to more inhibition of the enzyme. Likewise, binding an activator causes a conformational change that favors substrate binding, and this effect is passed from one subunit to another.

The sequential model for binding effectors of all types, including substrates, to allosteric enzymes has a unique feature not seen in the concerted model. The conformational changes thus induced can make the enzyme less likely to bind more molecules of the same type. This phenomenon, called negativecooperativity, has been observed in a few enzymes. One is tyrosyl tRNA synthe-tase, which plays a role in protein synthesis. In the reaction catalyzed by this enzyme, the amino acid tyrosine forms a covalent bond to a molecule of trans-fer RNA (tRNA). In subsequent steps, the tyrosine is passed along to its place in the sequence of the growing protein. The tyrosyl tRNA synthetase consists of two subunits. Binding of the first molecule of substrate to one of the subunits inhibits binding of a second molecule to the other subunit.

The sequential model has successfully accounted for the negative coopera-tivity observed in the behavior of tyrosyl tRNA synthetase. The concerted model makes no provision for negative cooperativity.

Summary

The two principal models for allosteric enzyme behavior are called the concerted model and the sequential model.

In the concerted model, the enzyme is thought of as being in a taut form, T, or a relaxed form, R. All subunits are found in one or the other, and an equilibrium exists between the T and R forms.

Substrate binds more easily to the R form than to the T form, inhibitors stabilize the T form, and activators stabilize the R form.

In the sequential model, subunits of the enzyme can change sequentially from the T form to the R form and back again.

Binding of one molecule of substrate to one subunit stimulates the transi-tion of the subunit to the R form, which then stimulates another subunit to change to the R form.

Binding of inhibitor to one subunit induces a change in the other sub-units to a form with lower affinity for the substrate. Binding of an activator to one subunit induces a shift in the other subunits to a form that has a high affinity for substrate.