An endoenzyme, or intracellular enzyme, is an enzyme that functions within the cell in which it was produced.[1] Because the majority of enzymes fall within this category, the term is used primarily to differentiate a specific enzyme from an exoenzyme. It is possible for a single enzyme to have both endoenzymatic and exoenzymatic functions; for example, glycolytic enzymes of Kreb's Cycle. In most cases the term endoenzyme refers to an enzyme that binds to a bond 'within the body' of a large molecule - usually a polymer. For example an endoamylase would break down large amylose molecules into shorter dextrin chains. On the other hand, an exoenzyme removes subunits from the polymer one at a time from one end; in effect it can only act at the end ponts of a polymer. An exoamylase would therefore remove one glucose molecule at a time from the end of an amylose molecule.
References
- ^ Michael J. Pelczar. Microbiology:Application Based Approach. Tata McGraw-Hill Education. p. 917. ISBN 9780070151475. Retrieved 18 Jan 2017.