Adaptation of an HPLC system for transient-state enzyme kinetic experiments: pulse-flow method

The components of an HPLC system can be easily reassembled into an instrument for transient-state enzyme kinetic experiments based on the continuous-flow technique. The scheme of reassembly, operation and data evaluation is described in detail for the Pharmacia FPLC system. The working quality of the suggested scheme was tested using a well-studied process of bacterial beta-galactosidase activation by Mg2+ ions. The found parameters were in a good agreement with the literature data. The pulse-flow mode was developed for the delivery of working solutions to reduce the required quantities of enzyme and/or other reaction components. The work presents new approach to HPLC modules as building blocks for sophisticated liquid flow reactors, such as automatic solid phase synthesizers, sequencers and so on.