DISTRIBUTION-FREE COMPUTER METHODS FOR ANALYZING LIGAND-BINDING AND ENZYME MECHANISMS

This paper shows distribution-free methods for both ligand binding and enzyme mechanisms which follow hyperbolic kinetics, and provides an estimate of initial enzyme velocity by use of the integrated Michaelis-Menten equation. BASIC computer programs are listed for both systems. In addition, it is shown how distribution-free methods can be of use in parameter assignment for complex mechanisms, and lists a BASIC program to distinguish between mechanisms by use of the F-test. These distribution-free methods provide an alternative to the use of non-linear regression techniques. The only assumptions made in the distribution-free methods are that the y values are independent of one another, and that errors in y are equally likely to be positive or negative.