TPI: Life in the Dream House 🛼 👛

3D Model

Triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) is a homodimeric enzyme in humans that is located on chromosome 12. The active site of TPI consists of 3 vital residues; Glu165, His95 and Lys13, which each play an important role in its interactions. It is known for its critical role in glycolysis, a process where glucose is converted into energy. During glycolysis, TPI isomerisesisomerises Dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) into Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P). TPI is considered a “catalytically perfect” enzyme as the rate at which it operates is the theoretical maximum rate for an enzyme-catalysed reaction, also known as the diffusion-limited rate. Because TPI is so essential, the rare mutuation in Glu104 causing TPI defiency leads to deterimental effects.