Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Allosteric enzymes are regulatory enzymes whose catalytic activity is modulated by the non-covalent binding of specific regulatory molecules (effectors) at sites other than the active site (allosteric sites).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each statement to determine the characteristics of allosteric enzymes:
- (A) Their Kinetics do not obey the Michaelis-Menten equation: This is correct.
Instead of a hyperbolic curve, allosteric enzymes exhibit a sigmoidal (S-shaped) curve when initial velocity is plotted against substrate concentration.
- (B) They are mostly monomeric in nature: This is incorrect.
Allosteric enzymes are almost exclusively oligomeric, consisting of multiple subunits (polypeptide chains) that allow for cooperative interactions.
- (C) Substrate binding is mutually independent and noncooperative: This is incorrect.
Substrate binding to one subunit of an allosteric enzyme typically influences the conformation of other subunits, showing cooperative binding behavior.
- (D) Binding of effector molecules may lead to their activation or inhibition: This is correct.
Allosteric activators or inhibitors bind to specific regulatory sites, shifting the conformational equilibrium between the active state (R-state) and inactive state (T-state) of the enzyme.
Thus, only statements (A) and (D) represent correct properties of allosteric enzymes.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The properties associated with regulatory/allosteric enzymes are (A) and (D) only.