An approximate solution for the transient kinetic behavior of enzyme- catalyzed reactions: The irreversible Michaelis-Menten kinetics (Q580222)

An approximate analytical solution is presented for the time-dependent kinetics of the irreversible Michaelis-Menten reaction. The solution is given in terms of a power series, whose convergence is accelerated by means of a [4/4] Padé approximant. The accelerated solution is found to be quite accurate throughout and beyond the transient phase. Results are given for the initial enzyme-to-substrate concentration ratio \(\epsilon\) ranging from 0.1 to 10. A polynomial equation is also derived for calculating the induction period of the reaction. A major advantage of the present approach is that it gives a good approximation even when \(\epsilon\) is much greater than one.