Lyubarev A.E., Kurganov B.I.

Organization of Biochemical Systems: Structural and Regulatory Aspects (eds B.I.Kurganov and A.E.Lyubarev). New York, Nova Sci. Publ., 1996, p. 1-81

The concept of the hierarchic structural organization of living matter based on the metabolism integration has been put forward. It postulates that the hierarchy of regulation mechanisms in biological systems corresponds to the hierarchy of the matter organization levels. General principles of regulation of biological systems of different levels have been formulated on the example of the enzyme and the cell.

Metabolons (complexes which include the enzymes of the metabolic pathway) have been considered as the individual level of the matter organization. Experimental data confirming the existence of metabolons have been presented. We have formulated the principles of the structural organization of metabolons and proposed hypothetical structures of enzyme complexes of TCA cycle and glycolysis. A possible structure of the metabolon microcompartment has been discussed.

The approaches to describe the enzyme functioning within the metabolon have been analyzed. Much attention has been paid to concept "protein-machine" and "system of conjugated ionic-hydrogen bonds". The attempt to combine both concepts into the single model has been undertaken. Mechanism of regulation of the metabolon as a whole have been presented.

Inclusion of metabolons into biological structures of the higher level has been shown on mitochondria. Being the distinct level of the matter organization, mitochondria are the controllable systems.

Experimental approaches to study the problem of the cellular metabolism integration have been discussed.

Титульный лист | Физико-химическая биология