Single-substrate Enzyme Kinetics: The Quasi-steady-state Approximation and Beyond

TL;DR

This paper examines the validity of the quasi-steady-state approximation in enzyme kinetics across different substrate-enzyme ratios, providing insights into its applicability and recent observations at various enzyme concentrations.

Contribution

It offers a detailed analysis of the quasi-steady-state approximation's validity and introduces new measures for assessing enzyme kinetics beyond traditional assumptions.

Findings

Identifies conditions where the quasi-steady-state approximation holds

Highlights the efficacy of alternative measures for enzyme kinetics

Provides rationalizations for recent experimental observations

Abstract

We analyze the standard model of enzyme-catalyzed reactions at various substrate-enzyme ratios to identify the regions of validity of the quasi-steady-state approximation. Certain prevalent conditions are checked and compared against the actual findings. Efficacies of a few other measures are highlighted. Some very recent observations are rationalized, particularly at moderate and high enzyme concentrations.