A minimal model of non-hyperbolic enzyme and receptor kinetics

Abstract

A simplified version of P.W. Kühl's Recovery Model [Biochem. J. 298 (1994) 171–180] has been developed in which the duration of the recovery phase of receptor or enzyme (macro)molecule was assumed to be a random value distributed exponentially like other model parameters. The model has been shown to retain all the properties of the original Recovery Model except for its ability to yield asymmetric dose–response curves (if plotted in semi-logarithmic scale). Due to its simplicity, the present model is applicable for routine fitting to experimental data. In enzyme kinetics, the model yields a diversity of non-hyperbolic dose–response curves both with higher and lower steepness than that of Henri-type ones. In receptor kinetics, the diversity of dose–response curves is further increased due to virtually no restraints being imposed on the efficacies of any state of the macromolecule.