Question

Question: Regulation of isoleucine synthesis is an example of feedback inhibition of an anabolic pathway. With that in mind, explain how ATP might be involved in feedback inhibition of a catabolic pathway.

Short answer

A catabolic pathway leads to the breakdown of the substances that produce energy molecules. ATP act as an allosteric inhibitor by blocking the enzyme required for the catabolic reaction. When the ATP is abundantly present, it blocks the catabolic reaction.

Step-by-step solution

Description of metabolism

Metabolism is the process in which the chemical reaction takes place and leads to different types of metabolites. Two mechanisms that happen in the metabolic reactions are anabolism and catabolism.

The process in which complex molecules are separated into simpler substances is known as catabolism. Anabolism is the synthesis of larger molecules from smaller molecules.

Inhibition of a metabolic reaction

The metabolic process is a chemical reaction that has to be maintained in equilibrium. Every biological reaction has to be regulated periodically. The regulation has to be done by inhibiting the reaction when the product produced from the reactant is surplus.

ATP as a feedback inhibitor

The catabolic process is the mechanism that produces ATP molecules. When there is more ATP produced from a catabolic process, it tends to inhibit the enzyme of the particular catabolic process.

The blocking of the enzyme may stop the catabolic process. It further stops more ATP formation.