The enzyme ADH from this case requires the co-factor Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, NAD+, in order to function. This co-factor takes up a hydride ion (H-) from the ethanol, leading to the formation of an acetaldehyde. NAD+ is reduced to NADH and thereby works as an electron acceptor (see figure 1). NAD+ is derived from the vitamin niacin. Without NAD+, ADH would not function. N A D plus, in order to function. This co-factor takes up a hydride ion from the ethanol, leading to the formation of an acetaldehyde. N A D plus is reduced to N A D H and thereby works as an electron acceptor (see figure 1). N A D plus is derived from the vitamin niacin. Without N A D plus, ADH would not function.
Figure 1: The chemical structure of NAD+ and how it is reduced to NADH N A D plus and how it is reduced to N A D H by the addition of two electrons and a proton.
References
- Lehninger, Albert L.; Nelson, David L.; Cox, Michael M. (2008). Principles of Biochemistry (5th ed.). New York, NY: W.H. Freeman and Company. ISBN 978-0-7167-7108-1.
Co-factor
Product
Theory overview