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What determines the speed limit on enzyme catalysis?

Though the chemical mechanisms of many enzymes have been elucidated, the mechanisms by which specificity and rate acceleration are achieved remain less explored. A new study suggests that physically controlled processes, such as active site access and organization, are rate limiting for enzymatic catalysis.

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Figure 1: Dynamic catalysis by adenylate kinase.

Ann Thomson

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Frauenfelder, H. What determines the speed limit on enzyme catalysis?. Nat Chem Biol 4, 21–22 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchembio0108-21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nchembio0108-21

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