A company had developed 2 enzymes that degrade highly toxic

A company had developed 2 enzymes that degrade highly toxic compounds to non-toxic compounds. You need to choose an enzyme that degrades the greatest amount of the toxic compound in the shortest amount of time. The kinetic properties of the two enzymes are shown below: At low concentrations of the substrate, which enzyme would perform better? (e.g. which one binds the substrate better?) Explain your choice. At saturating concentrations (very high concentrations) of the substrate, which enzyme would be better to use? Why?

Solution

a. Higher Km will have low affinity while lower Km will have a higher affinity for the substrate. So the enzyme having lower Km (Enzyme 1) would perform better as this enzyme binds to substrate better.

b. At saturating concentrations, enzyme having higher Vmax will be better to use as at the maximal velocity the enzyme performs better.