A probabilistic approach to compact steady-state kinetic equations for enzymic reactions

We describe a method for deriving kinetic equations based on the simplification of a complex graphical scheme of steady-state enzymic reactions to one that is comprised of an unbranched pathway. It entails compressing unbranched multi-step sequences into one step, and fusing some graph nodes into a single node. The final form of the equations is compact and well structured, and it simplifies the choice of independent kinetic parameters. The approach is illustrated by an analysis of representative two- and three-substrate reactions.