Determination of Michaelis parameters from differentials of progress curves

First differentials of progress curves are easily obtainable in many enzyme assay systems. Such curves may be more readily applicable to kinetic analysis than are the usual progress curves. The theory for this approach is developed, and simple graphical procedures for the determination of Michaelis parameters are indicated. By using an electronic differentiator device the application of the method is demonstrated on the kinetics of three different serine proteinases with various synthetic substrates. Whenever the steady-state concentration of an intermediate of the reaction is proportional to the rate, the transition of this intermediate in substrate-depletion experiments may be analysed in similar terms. This is demonstrated with cytochrome c oxidase kinetics. A number of other possible applications are discussed.