Originally Posted by
Umberto
I totally agree with ChrisAdams.
Changing functional groups DRASTICALLY CHANGES molecule behavior.
(Estrogen and Testosterone differ very little structurally)
Slight changes in chemical structure effect enzyme binding emensely.
Our bodies are controlled almost entirelly by enzymes (basically biological catalyst). These enzymes's activities and especially regulation are directly related to chemical structure. Some enzymes are even covalently modified (have functional groups attached to them, such as a methyl, ethyl, phoshate, hydroxy groups, ect.) to activate or inhibit them OR EVEN use high levels of there own substrates to inhibit their action.
Now these slight changes you see in androgen structure (methyl attachment, or ANY modification) have such a drastic effect because enzyme active sight attachment is very specific. They need the right polarity, pH, Pk values, rates of attachment, hydrogen bonding, Van der Walhs forces,ect.,ect., ect.. Changeing one small molecule effects all of these things and more.
Our bodies are a multitude of precisely controlled biochemical reactions. The more I learn about it the more absolutely mind boggleing how it all works together smoothly in most cases. And the funny thing is EACH CELL in your body experiences millions of similar reaction that all work together in concortium. AND you have billions of cells.
kind of makes you believe there has to be a God.
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