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What determines the speed limit on enzyme catalysis?

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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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