Enzymes are polypeptide(s) that are folded in a specific way given the
biochemistry (pH, temperature, ion concentrations, other stabilizing
proteins, etc) of cells. Because they are adapted to such a narrow
environmental range, it is unreasonable to expect them to be capable
of performing their given functions upon being transferred to less
optimal conditions. Ever wonder why fevers make you feel so miserable
even though one could objectively say they only raise your body
temperature by a few measley degrees. Well, those few measley degrees
are a huge deal for the human body whose delicate cellular structures
require extremely narrow optimal environmental conditions when
compared to something like a car which is much hardier in terms of
operating temperatures.
Also remember that enzymes/proteins in general are temporary
molecules. They are not meant to last a long time the way one would
expect a wooden chair to--rather, our body is constantly producing new
proteins while degrading old and damaged ones. So even if our own
cells are incapable of maintaining a particular enzyme for five
months, it would be a lot to ask for us to perform what nature cannot.
This is assuming you want an enzyme to be actively catalyzing its
reaction the whole five months. We are capable of storing protein
solutions for long periods of time by freezing them. A lot of biotech
companies produce various enzyme products for R&D that can be stored
at -20 to -80 Celsius for months and even years. ie, Taq polymerase is
a common enzyme used for research, forensics, etc., and I have used
kits containing it that were viable after sitting in a freezer for
over a year.
As for potential uses... well, that's stuff for another time. |