The kinetic behavior of an artificial bienzyme membrane

Artificial membranes bearing immobilized enzymes can be used to study some effects of membrane structure on enzyme kinetic behavior. The bienzyme system described is a mixture of beta-glucosidase and glucose oxidase. Gluconolactone, the product of thesecond enzyme, is an inhibitor of the first one. The resulting feedback effect has been compared using a mixed two-enzyme membrane, two separated one-enzyme membranes, and astirred bienzyme solution. The feedback effect is quicker and more efficient in the two-enzyme membrane than in solution; it is slower and less efficient in the case of the separated one-enzyme membranes. Effects of enzyme proximity in the structure are discussed. Conclusions are drawn concerning the efficiency of feedback mechanisms when enzymes are embedded within a single structure.