Term: cooperativity
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01325

Definition:
Interaction between the substrate binding sites of an allosteric enzyme. Binding of a substrate molecule to one binding site changes the affinity of the binding sites on the other subunits (cf. allosteric enzyme) to the substrate by induction of a conformation change at the other binding sites. Cooperative enzymes typically display a sigmoid (S-shaped) plot of the reaction rate against substrate concentration.

Related Terms:
1) substrate (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S06083).
2) allosteric enzymes (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00240).
3) binding site (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.B00649).
4) conformation (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01258).
5) enzymes (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E02159).

Source: PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 151 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)

Citation: 'cooperativity' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01325

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