Knowledge of the Michaelis-Menten parameters and their meaning in different circumstances is an essential prerequisite to understanding enzyme function and behaviour. The published literature contains an abundance of values reported for many enzymes. The problem concerns assessing the appropriateness and validity of such material for the purpose to which it is to be applied. This review considers the evaluation of such data with particular emphasis on the assessment of its fitness for purpose.
Keywords: Michaelis constant; bisubstrate kinetics; cooperativity; enzyme inhibition; enzyme kinetics; maximal velocity; parameter uncertainties; substrate competition.