A normalized plot as a novel and time-saving tool in complex enzyme kinetic analysis

A new data treatment is described for designing kinetic experiments and ana lysing kinetic results for multi-substrate enzymes. Normalized velocities a re plotted against normalized substrate concentrations. Data are grouped in to n+1 families across the range of substrate or product tested, n being th e number of substrates plus products assayed. It has the following advantag es over traditional methods: (1) it reduces to less than a half the amount of data necessary for a proper description of the system; (2) it introduces a self-consistency checking parameter that ensures the 'scientific reliabi lity' of the mathematical output; (3) it eliminates the need for a prior kn owledge of V-max; (4) the normalization of data allows the use of robust an d fuzzy methods suitable for managing really 'noisy' data; (5) it is approp riate for analysing complex systems, as the complete general equation is us ed, and the actual influence of effectors can be typified; (6) it is amenab le to being implemented as a software that incorporates testing and electin g among rival kinetic models.