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Ternary complex
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<p>A ternary complex is a <a href="/facts/Protein_complex/GW11Ee34">protein complex</a> containing three different molecules that are bound together. In <a href="/facts/Structural_biology/XRkPtHYv">structural biology</a>, <i>ternary complex</i> can also be used to describe a crystal containing a <a href="/facts/Protein/Jxmagu3E">protein</a> with two small molecules bound, such as a <a href="/facts/Cofactor_(biochemistry)/AGo0PCUU">cofactor</a> and a <a href="/facts/Substrate_(biochemistry)/6MnaV19h">substrate</a>; or a complex formed between two proteins and a single substrate. In <a href="/facts/Immunology/vylm0L8e">Immunology</a>, <i>ternary complex</i> can refer to the MHC–peptide–T-cell-receptor complex formed when T cells recognize epitopes of an antigen. Another important example is the ternary complex formed during eukaryotic translation, in which ternary complex composed of <a href="/facts/EIF2/JsCGLNta">eIF2</a> + GTP + Met-tRNAiMet is formed. A ternary complex can be a complex formed between two substrate molecules and an enzyme. This is seen in multi-substrate enzyme-catalyzed reactions where two substrates and two products can be formed. The ternary complex is an intermediate species in this type of enzyme-catalyzed reaction. An example for a ternary complex is seen in the random-order mechanism or the compulsory-order mechanism of enzyme catalysis for multiple substrates. </p><p>The term <i>ternary complex</i> can also refer to a <a href="/facts/Polymer/eF32E50K">polymer</a> formed by <a href="/facts/Electrostatic/bxkuW6s4">electrostatic</a> interactions. </p> <p>Trevor Palmer (Enzymes, 2nd edition) </p>