In this study, the S1 - P1 and S3 - P3 interactions between papain and four synthetic peptide substrates were found as to be important. The values of Km were estimated as to be practically identical between these substrates; this latter is supporting the conclusions obtained by considering the estimated values of other kinetic parameters. Nevertheless, based on the estimated kcat and/or k cat/Km parameters of the used substrates, we concluded that an aromatic ring at the P3 position, and a positively charged side chain of the residue at the P1 position of the synthetic substrates were favored considerably their interaction with papain.
Papain-Substrates; Enzyme-Substrate Interactions