Question

Most of the time, inhibition is reversible. What happens if an inhibitor is irreversible? What are some examples of irreversible enzyme inhibitors?

Answer 1

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When an enzyme is covalently modified - electrophilic groups interact with amino chains to form these bonds, it is said to be irreversible.

Some examples are: diisopropylfluorophosphate and acetylcholinesterase.

Answer 2

An irrevesible inhibitor has changed it's form and therefore lost it's function, since most inhibitors are enzymes.