Effect of salts and inorganic ions of enzyme activity

Salts and ions may have many different effects of the activity of an enzyme.

For example, inorganic ions may bind to some of the ionic side chains of a protein. This kind of interaction, although not affecting the three dimensional shape of the enzyme in a substantial manner could make it easier for a substrate molecule to locate or bind to the active site of the enzyme. Thus the presence of the ion in optimum concentrations could alter the rate of the reaction.

In some cases an inorganic ion is an integral part of the structure of the enzyme and also participates in catalysis. A example of an inorganic ion's effect on the activity of an enzyme is apparent in the consideration of the enzyme cytochrome oxidase C which is a part of the electron transport chain in the mitochondria.

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