Alcohol dehydrogenase is an enzyme that breaks down alcohol, which is toxic if allowed to build up in large amounts. A small molecule called NAD is required by alcohol dehydrogenase to break down the alcohol molecule. NAD binds to the enzyme in a pocket created by folds in the protein.


Amino acids that create binding site
Show NAD only
NAD is held by the binding site using some of the same kinds of forces that hold the protein folds in place. The pocket fits NAD nearly perfectly, and other molecules do not have the correct shape or charge properties to fit.

Hydrogen bonds
Hydrophobic interactions