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Use of isotope effects to elucidate enzyme mechanisms

Journal Article · · CRC Crit. Rev. Biochem.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6258014

The chemical bond breaking steps are normally not rate limiting for enzymatic reactions. However, comparison of deuterium and tritium isotope effects on the same reaction, especially when coupled with /sup 13/C isotope effects for the same step measured with deuterated as well as unlabeled substrates, allows calculation of the intrinsic isotope effects on the bond breaking steps and thus a determination of the commitments to catalysis for the reactants. The variation in observed isotope effects as a function of reactant concentration can be used to determine kinetic mechanisms, while the pH variation of isotope effects can determine the stickiness of the reactants and which portions of the reactant mechanism are pH dependent. Finally the size of primary and secondary intrinsic isotope effects can be used to determine transition state structure.

Research Organization:
Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison
OSTI ID:
6258014
Journal Information:
CRC Crit. Rev. Biochem.; (United States), Journal Name: CRC Crit. Rev. Biochem.; (United States) Vol. 13:4; ISSN CRBCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English