Definition of Cooperativity

What is Cooperativity?

Cooperativity is the interaction process by which binding of a ligand to one site on a macromolecule (enzyme, receptor, etc.) influences binding at a second site, e.g. between the substrate binding sites of an allosteric enzyme.

Cooperative enzymes typically display a sigmoid (S-shaped) plot of the reaction rate against substrate concentration.

(See also Allosteric binding sites).


Search the Dictionary for More Terms