Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Enzymatic Catalysis: Case Studies of Invertase and Collagenase

Ionizing radiation affects enzymes, which are critical for most cellular functions, by inducing chemical alterations in their molecular structures, often resulting in the inhibition of their activities. Understanding the molecular and kinetic mechanisms underlying these effects requires suitable experimental protocols and models tailored to specific enzymes and their substrates. In this study, we present a convenient experimental approach utilizing a medical linear accelerator (LINAC) suite as a precise means for irradiating enzyme solutions. Additionally, we examine the effects of ionizing radiation on the catalytic activities and potential structural changes of two enzymes: invertase (β-fructofuranosidase) and collagenase.