Enzymatic regulation (Allostery)

Many enzymes do not follow classical Michaelis-Menten kinetics; the curve representing the velocity (v) as a function of substrate concentration ([S]) is not hyperbolic but sigmoidal (S-shaped). These enzymes play a crucial role in regulating metabolic processes; they are known as key regulatory enzymes. This type of enzyme possesses multiple binding sites: one for the substrate and one or more others for co-factors (known as effectors or modulators).

The term “allosteric” was introduced for these enzymes by Jacques Monod and his collaborators in 1965 (allostery comes from the Greek allos meaning “other” and stereon meaning “space”).