IUB 1982 Eur J Biochem
| IUB (1982) Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry (NC-IUB). Symbolism and terminology in enzyme kinetics. Recommendations 1981. Eur J Biochem 128:281-91. |
IUB (1982) Eur J Biochem
Abstract: Certain conflicts that have greatly exercised some biochemists now seem less important than they may have done in the past. For example, because of the great diversity of enzyme mechanisms it is unlikely that any one system of numbering rate constants can satisfy all possible needs. It is much more important that rate constants be clearly defined in the context in which they are used than that they should satisfy any universal system. Thus although this report follows the IUPAC recommendations [3,4] in its examples for illustration it is not implied that these should be used without definition or in all circumstances.
We have adopted the general policy of taking an operational approach to definitions, terms and symbols, rather than basing them on assumed mechanisms. In other words, definitions refer to what one observes, not to the way it is interpreted. This seems to be the safest course in kinetics, and particularly in enzyme kinetics, as conclusions about mechanisms often have to be revised in the light of further investigations, whereas the observations, if they are properly carried out, do not. Definitions based on what is actually observed are therefore on a sounder and more lasting basis than those that depend on an assumed mechanism. In Section 11 we do, however, consider mechanisms briefly.
• Bioblast editor: Gnaiger E
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Preparation: Enzyme
