How would switching alanine for serine in the active site of the Cox enzyme likely affect its ability to break down arachidonic acid and how would this affect your body's inflammatory response?

Answer 1

A point mutation in the active site, alanine to serine, in the active site would would inhibit the Cox enzyme from breaking down the arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. Serine has an additional hydroxyl group compared to alanine which may cause steric hinderance in the active site of the enzyme. The build up of arachidonic acid would cause a pro-inflammatory response.