interferENZY: A Web-Based Tool for Enzymatic Assay Validation and Standardized Kinetic Analysis

J Mol Biol. 2021 May 28;433(11):166613. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.07.025. Epub 2020 Aug 5.

Abstract

Enzymatic assays are widely employed to characterize important allosteric and enzyme modulation effects. The high sensitivity of these assays can represent a serious problem if the occurrence of experimental errors surreptitiously affects the reliability of enzyme kinetics results. We have addressed this problem and found that hidden assay interferences can be unveiled by the graphical representation of progress curves in modified reaction coordinates. To render this analysis accessible to users across all levels of expertise, we have developed a webserver, interferENZY, that allows (i) an unprecedented tight quality control of experimental data, (ii) the automated identification of small and major assay interferences, and (iii) the estimation of bias-free kinetic parameters. By eliminating the subjectivity factor in kinetic data reporting, interferENZY will contribute to solving the "reproducibility crisis" that currently challenges experimental molecular biology. The interferENZY webserver is freely available (no login required) at https://interferenzy.i3s.up.pt.

Keywords: data pollution; enzyme kinetics; linearization method; reproducibility; webserver.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Automation
  • Biocatalysis
  • Chickens
  • Enzyme Assays / methods*
  • Enzyme Assays / standards*
  • Internet*
  • Kinetics
  • Muramidase / metabolism
  • Quality Control
  • Reference Standards
  • Software*
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • hen egg lysozyme
  • Muramidase