Evidence is presented to show that the presence of a channelled reaction br
anch in a coupled two-enzyme reaction leads to a slower overall relaxation
of the system towards steady state following perturbations of the reaction
conditions. A predominant part of the total reaction flux change resulting
from perturbations may be governed by transients that are more rapid in the
presence than in the absence of a channel, but only under specific conditi
ons that are not likely to be of biological relevance. (C) 1999 Academic Pr
ess.