Solve Km with Alpha-ChymotrypsinHydrolysis & 4-Nitrophenyl Trimethylacetate

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The discussion focuses on determining the Michaelis constant (Km) from the results of an experiment involving alpha-chymotrypsin catalyzed hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl trimethylacetate. The user has successfully calculated Kcat, [E]0act, and K2/K but is struggling to derive Km. It is noted that Km can be determined by combining the equations for Kcat and Km, specifically using the relationships Kcat = K2K3/(K2+K3) and Km = K3K/(K2+K3). Additionally, there are suggestions to consult various resources for a clearer understanding of Km determination, as the lab manual's instructions may not provide sufficient clarity. Ultimately, the resolution confirms that Km can be calculated through the appropriate mathematical relationships established in the experiment.
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I did a practical and am now trying to do the data analysis of it. the prac was the alpha-chymotrypsin catalyzed hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl trimethylacetate.
I have values for X, Y and B and the lab manual has asked "Using the approximated, simplified expressions for X (equation 2), Y (equation 3) and B (equation 4), determine Kcat, [E]0act and K2/K for each kinetic experiment.
From these values, determine Km and p."

I have calculated Kcat, [E]0act and K2/K, but can't work out how to determine Km.
the simplified equations are -
equation 2 is simplified to x ≈ Kcat.[E]0act (if [ S] >>km)
equation 3 is simplified to y ≈ [E]0act (if [ S] >>Km and K2>>K3)
equation 4 is simplified to B ≈ K2[ S]/K (if [ S]>>Km and K2>>K3)

where Kcat = K2K3/(K2+K3) ≈ K3 (if K2>>K3)
Km = K3K/(K2+K3)
the lab manual suggests "to determine Km, consider how K2/K can be derived from the expressions for
Kcat and Km."
I'm lost and not sure how to solve for Km. I have spent hours on it and just don't understand what it is I'm supposed to do.
 
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hard0174 said:
I did a practical and am now trying to do the data analysis of it. the prac was the alpha-chymotrypsin catalyzed hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl trimethylacetate.
I have values for X, Y and B and the lab manual has asked "Using the approximated, simplified expressions for X (equation 2), Y (equation 3) and B (equation 4), determine Kcat, [E]0act and K2/K for each kinetic experiment.
From these values, determine Km and p."

I have calculated Kcat, [E]0act and K2/K, but can't work out how to determine Km.
the simplified equations are -
equation 2 is simplified to x ≈ Kcat.[E]0act (if [ S] >>km)
equation 3 is simplified to y ≈ [E]0act (if [ S] >>Km and K2>>K3)
equation 4 is simplified to B ≈ K2[ S]/K (if [ S]>>Km and K2>>K3)

where Kcat = K2K3/(K2+K3) ≈ K3 (if K2>>K3)
Km = K3K/(K2+K3)
the lab manual suggests "to determine Km, consider how K2/K can be derived from the expressions for
Kcat and Km."
I'm lost and not sure how to solve for Km. I have spent hours on it and just don't understand what it is I'm supposed to do.

It is too hard work to guess some essentials of this question. I do not know what X, Y, B and p are. You give what equations 1, 2, 3 simplify to when [ S] >> Km , but not what these equations are. Maybe these simplified equations are meant to be used together with some others. Anyway, realize that you cannot get any information about Km from data where [ S] >> Km.

Really there are a great number of books or online sources that explain how to determine Km if that is the problem. Usually that involves expressing the Michaelis equation In terms of modified variables such as 1/v, 1/[ S] or others, and fitting to the best straight line.

If you need to reproduce here some of the lab manual photographically from an iPad or the like please use DocScan HD or similar app to clean it up, because we get some horrible unreadable dirty yellow pages often.
 
yes, I agree that there are easier ways to express Km but the lab isn't asking for that determination sadly. however, the problem has been resolved. Km can be determined by combining equations
Kcat = K2K3/(K2+K3) ≈ K3 (if K2>>K3)
Km = K3K/(K2+K3)
 
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