Steady states of general multi-enzyme networks and their associated properties. Computational approaches

Abstract

This paper discusses the theoretical basis for the determination of the steady-state characteristics of a multi-enzyme network, given initial values for the enzyme and metabolite concentrations, and rate equations for each enzyme. The computation depends only to a small extent on integrating the rate equations, mainly on adjustment of the matrix of fluxes through each component of the system, until they are equal to each other within a prescribed tolerance limit.The program has been devised to be as flexible as possible to permit the user to investigate the effects of changing the concentration or kinetic properties of an individual enzyme. Alternatively, the concentrations of enzymes required to maintain a given flux may be computed. The program will deal with a network of up to about 30 enzymes.