Michaelis-Menten concepts approach

There are methods used Lo study enzymes other than those of chemical instrumental analysis, such as chromatography, that have already been mentioned. Many enzymes can be crystallized, and their structure investigated by x-ray or electron diffraction methods. Studies of the kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reactions often yield useful data, much of this work being based on the Michaelis-Menten treatment. Basic to this approach is the concept (hat the action of enzymes depends upon the formation by the enzyme and substrate molecules of a complex, which has a definite, though transient, existence, and then decomposes into the products, of the reaction. Note that this point of view was the basis of the discussion of the specilicity of the active sites discussed abuve. 

Interestingly, a fully appropriate model was developed at the same time as the Langmuir model using a similar basic approach. This is the Michaelis-Menten equation which has proved to be so useful in the interpretation of enzyme kinetics and, thereby, understanding the mechanisms of enzyme reactions. Another advantage in using this model is the fact that a graphical presentation of the data is commonly used to obtain the reaction kinetic parameters. Some basic concepts and applications will be presented here but a more complete discussion can be found in a number of texts. ... 

The concept of an enzyme-substrate complex is fundamental to the appreciation of enzyme reactions and was initially developed in 1913 by Michaelis and Menten, who derived an equation that is crucial to enzyme studies. Subsequent to Michaelis and Menten several other workers approached the problem from different viewpoints and although their work is particularly useful in advanced kinetic and mechanistic studies, they confirmed the basic concepts of Michaelis and Menten. 

The quantitative approach to drug-receptor interaction clearly has its basis in relationships shown by Michaelis and Menten. Clark applied these ideas to drug-receptor combination Ariens distinguished between affinity and intrinsic activity using the occupation variant of the receptor theory. Paton elaborated the rate concept in receptor theory Schild found special approaches useful... 

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