NMR studies of enzymatic ratesin vitroandin vivoby magnetization transfer

Abstract

Magnetization transfer techniques are specialized NMR experiments which can measure the rate of chemical reactions while concentrations of products and reactants are maintained constant. These techniques are being used to measure the rates of enzyme catalysed reactions in a variety of living systems andin vitro. The magnetization transfer measurementsin vivoof the ATP synthetase and the creatine kinase reactions have been particularly useful in describing rates of major energy transducing reactions involving ATP and phosphocreatine. As a result, a wide range of biomedicai scientists are becoming aware of the potentials of these techniques. The purpose of this review is thus threefold: first, to present a concise, conceptual review of the underlying principles for these non-specialists; secondly, to review the important biochemical applications of the method which have appeared, and thirdly, to discuss potential applications and limitations of the method.