Abstract
A simple mathematical model for studying mechanism-based inhibitors (MBIs) is presented. The mathematical equations are deduced for an experimental protocol consist ing of a first incubation of the enzyme in the presence of MBI followed by a washing protocol to eliminate free MBI. Finally enzyme activity (initial velocity) is measured with specific substrate. The representation of the final equation obtained is a straight line, and the MBI-specific association constant of velocity (k) can be calculated from its slope. The mathematical model was then challenged with the effect of 18-ethynyl-11-deoxycorticosterone (18-EtDOC) as an MBI on aldosterone biosynthesis from 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) in rat adrenal mitochondria. The last step of the mitochondrial biosynthesis of aldosterone consists of the conversion of DOC into corticosterone (B) or 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone (18-OHDOC), and both steroids can then be transformed into aldosterone. The k (mM-1 min-1) values obtained for 18-EtDOC were: 451±36 for DOC to aldosterone; 177±16 for B to aldosterone; 175±15 for 18-OHDOC to aldosterone; and 2.7±0.2 for DOC to B. These results show that this MBI practically does not affect the metabolism of DOC to B in our enzyme preparation and that conversions of B and 18-OHDOC into aldosterone are catalyzed by the same enzyme.
