[Back to Issue 4 ToC] [Back to Journal Contents] [Back to Biochemistry (Moscow) Home page]
[View Full Article] [Download Reprint (PDF)]

Quasi-Equilibrium Assumption for Arbitrary Mechanism of Enzymatic Reaction. Criteria for Existence of Equilibrium Segments


P. V. Vrzheshch1,2

1Department of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia; fax: (495) 939-4218; E-mail: peter@genebee.msu.ru

2International Biotechnological Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia; fax: (495) 939-5022

Received September 26, 2010; Revision received December 8, 2010
The possible application of the quasi-equilibrium assumption for an arbitrary mechanism of enzymatic reaction is considered. It is shown at what ratios of kinetic constants a segment consisting of two, three, and four intermediates may be considered as an equilibrium one. Expressions for evaluation of accuracy of distribution of intermediate concentrations inside the equilibrium segment and accuracy of determination of intermediate concentrations inside and outside the equilibrium segment as a function of the ratio of kinetic constants are derived. A method for determination of the limitations on the ratio of rate constants for an equilibrium segment of arbitrary structure is suggested.
KEY WORDS: enzyme kinetics, quasi-equilibrium assumption, accuracy of assumption, Cha method, rapid equilibrium, steady-state kinetics, graph method

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297911040134