In: Chemistry
When comparing two enzymes against a single substrate it is best to compare which of the following experimentally determined values?
kcat
Km
none of these
Vmax
k2
When comparing two enzymes against a single substrate it is best to compare Km
The importance of determining Km
The Km of an enzyme, relative to the concentration of its substrate under normal conditions permits prediction of whether or not the rate of formation of product will be affected by the availability of substrate.
An enzyme with a low Km relative to the physiological concentration of substrate, is normally saturated with substrate, and will act at a more or less constant rate, regardless of variations in the concentration of substrate within the physiological range.
An enzyme with a high Km relative to the physiological concentration of substrate, is not normally saturated with substrate, and its activity will vary as the concentration of substrate varies, so that the rate of formation of product will depend on the availability of substrate.
If two enzymes, in different pathways, compete for the same substrate, then knowing the values of Km for both enzymes permits prediction of the metabolic fate of the substrate and the relative amount that will flow through each pathway under various conditions.