FEEDBACK INHIBITION
Feedback inhibition is a crucial mechanism in cellular metabolism that ensures efficient and balanced production of cellular molecules. It functions like a self-regulating switch, where the end product of a metabolic pathway acts as a signal to slow down the pathway's activity.
Here's a simplified explanation of how feedback inhibition works:
A metabolic pathway produces a specific molecule (the product).
When the concentration of the product reaches sufficient levels, it binds to an enzyme earlier in the pathway (usually the first committed enzyme).
This binding changes the enzyme's shape, rendering it less active or completely inactive.
Consequently, the production of the product slows down, preventing an oversupply.
This negative feedback loop ensures that cells don't waste energy and resources by producing more of a product than they need.
Examples of feedback-regulated pathways include:
The synthesis of amino acids
The production of nucleotides for DNA and RNA synthesis
The breakdown of glucose for energy production