Peak Performance

In plants, AHAS performs the first step in synthesis of three essential amino acids, making it an effective target for herbicides.

Adrenaline stimulates a G-protein-coupled receptor, priming us for action

Alcohol dehydrogenase detoxifies the ethanol we drink

Anabolic steroids like testosterone are among the most common performance enhancing drugs

Many medications for controlling high blood pressure inhibit the action of the peptide hormone angiotensin.

ATP synthase links two rotary motors to generate ATP

Atomic structures have captured the calcium pump in action

Carbonic anhydrase solubilizes carbon dioxide gas so we can breathe it out

Catalase protects us from dangerous reactive oxidizing molecules

Circadian clock proteins measure time in our cells

Eight enzymes form a cyclic pathway for energy production and biosynthesis

A proton-pumping protein complex performs the first step of the respiratory electron transport chain

Cytochrome oxidase extracts energy from food using oxygen

Estrogen binds to receptors in the nucleus and affects key genes in development

Fatty acids are constructed in many sequential steps by a large protein complex

Glycogen phosphorylase releases sugar from its cellular storehouse

The ten enzymes of glycolysis break down sugar in our diet

Growth hormone brings together two copies of its cellular receptor

Hemoglobin uses a change in shape to increase the efficiency of oxygen transport

HIF-α is a molecular switch that responds to changing oxygen levels.

Our cells temporarily build lactate when supplies of oxygen are low

Lead ions poison proteins throughout the body, blocking their normal function.

Problems with the appetite-controlling hormone leptin can lead to obesity

Monellin and other supersweet proteins trick our taste receptors.

Molecular motors fueled by ATP power the contraction of muscles

Nicotine causes addiction by interacting with receptors in the brain

Our sense of smell relies on odorant receptors that recognize specific scents.

Morphine and other opioid drugs bind to receptors in the nervous system, controlling pain

Oxidosqualine cyclase forms the unusual fused rings of cholesterol molecules

A huge molecular complex links three sequential reactions for energy production

In our mitochondria, three electron-transport complexes assemble into a supercomplex.

In our eyes, rhodopsin uses the molecule retinal to see light

Nitric oxide is attached to a conserved cysteine in hemoglobin and then released to control the flow of blood.

Serotonin receptors control mood, emotion, and many other behaviors, and are targets for many important drugs

Superoxide dismutase protects us from dangerously reactive forms of oxygen

Vitamin D helps regulate the use of calcium throughout the body

Vitamins are essential molecular tools that are obtained through a healthy diet.