Enzyme kinetics based on free-energy profiles

A comprehensive theory for relating free-energy profiles to kinetic equations of enzyme reactions has been developed. It enables expression of the overall rate and the concentrations of reaction intermediates in terms of the heights of peaks in free-energy profiles for various reactions. The reactions include consecutive reactions with intermittent irreversible steps, those with dead-end side reactions and completely reversible reactions. The usefulness of the theory is shown by analysis of a single-substrate reaction, a reaction with a covalent intermediate, and product inhibition in a two-substrate reaction, in which kinetic parameters such as Vmax and Km are related to the peak heights in free-energy profiles. The paper refers also to the concept of rate-determining step (RDS) and shows the utility of a related concept rate-determining zone (RDZ) which indicates the reaction steps between the main intermediate and the RDS. The concept of RDZ is useful for resolving confusion related to the concept of RDS. It should be emphasized that the present approach is applicable only to linear reactions.