The enzyme asparaginase has been used to treat people with c

The enzyme asparaginase has been used to treat people with certain types of leukemia. This treatment only works for tumor cells that require asparagine for growth. The normal cells of the body do not need asparagine as a nutrient, as they can synthesize their own supply. Several different isoenzyme forms of the enzyme have been isolated with the following properties: A. One of these enzymes has been chosen for the intravenous injection. In order to retard growth, it was necessary to maintain blood asparagine at 10pM or below. Assuming equal concentrations of each enzyme were used, which enzyme would provide the fastest rate of hydrolysis of asparagine at the desired blood level of 10pM? Show all calculations.

Solution

kcat/KM results in the rate constant that measures catalytic efficiency

so for A the catalytic efficiency is

2/10 = 0.2
For B it is
1/10 = 0.1
For C it is
20/1000=0.02

so the catalytic efficiency of A is highest so this enzyme will provide the fastest rate of hydrolysis od Asparaginase