Enzyme Kinetics Based on the Concept of Flux

抄録

Enzyme kinetics is widely used in many biological studies. Most of enzyme kinetic formulae are derived based on the steady state assumption, which is mathematically expressed by a time- differential equation, namely, d(an enzyme state)/dt = 0 in conventional textbooks. In this opinion article, I would like to propose flux method for handling the steady state assumption.In the proposed flux method, a steady state is defined as the condition wherein the flux entering to the state is equal to the flux leaving that state, implying that the traffic of materials passing through the state is nonzero. How the concept of flux, a type of flow rate, is useful for understanding the nature of enzyme reactions and enzyme kinetic studies will be discussed.