Differentiate between Prosthetic Group and Co Enzyme

By Balaji

Updated on: February 17th, 2023

Prosthetic group and Co-enzyme differ from each other based on their composition and how they form bonds with enzymes. Prosthetic group may be a metal or a small organic molecule that is strongly attached to the structure of the enzyme through a covalent or non-covalent bond. In contrast, a coenzyme is a small organic molecule attached to the enzyme.

Table of content

1. Difference between Prosthetic Group and Co Enzyme
2. Differentiate between Prosthetic Group and Co-Enzyme

Difference between Prosthetic Group and Co Enzyme

Two categories of cofactors that support the operation of the enzymes are the prosthetic group and coenzyme.

The major differences between the prosthetic group and the coenzyme are given in the table below:

Term	Prosthetic group	Coenzyme
Definition	Prosthetic group is a helper molecule (Non-proteinaceous type of compound) that assists enzymes in performing their functions.	Coenzyme is a distinct type of cofactor (an organic molecule) that assists enzymes in catalyzing chemical reactions.
Bond with Enzymes	They bind covalently or tightly with the enzymes to aid the enzymes	They bind loosely with the active site of the enzyme to help the catalytic function
Composition	These are vitamins, metal ions, sugars, or lipids	These are vitamins, nucleotides, or vitamin derivatives
Main Function	It provides a structural property to the enzyme	It provides a functional property to enzyme
Removal from enzyme	It cannot be removed from enzymes easily	Can be removed from enzymes easily
Example	Include heme and flavin nucleotides	Include ATP, AMP, FAD, coenzyme A, NAD+, and S- adenosyl methionine

Prosthetic Group vs Coenzyme

Prosthetic group, except for ribozymes, which are catalytic RNA molecules, all enzymes are composed of polypeptide chains. Most enzymes require cofactors, or non-protein groups, for their biological activity. Known as an inactive apoenzyme, the enzyme’s protein component is a component.

The holoenzyme is a conjugated enzyme that is fully formed, biologically active, and active.
Atoms, chemical groups, and electrons are transported by coenzymes.
Transport is used to move substrates from the point of production to the point of use.
For instance, the coenzyme NAD, which is involved in the oxidation-reduction reactions of glycolysis and the citric acid cycle in respiration, alternates between NADH, the reduced form, and NAD+, which is the oxidized form.

Summary: