Direct Estimate of the Specificity Constant: A Possibility or a Fluke? Pre-steady-state Substrate Concentrations and Enabling Mathematical Equations

Abstract

A high-ranking scientist has recently proposed the need for direct estimation of the specificity constant rather than by calculation after a separate determination of maximum velocity and the Michaelis-Menten constant (KM). The objectives of this study are to derive novel equations for the zero-arbitrary determination of pre-steady-state (PSS) concentration of the substrate suitable for PSS assays, direct estimation of specificity constant (SC) under a PSS scenario, saturating concentration [ST] of the substrate, and instantaneous initial rate (otherwise called the "burst phase-like" rate), including its corresponding [ST]0, and to quantitatively evaluate the derived equations so as to give credence to their robustness and applicability.