A new mucinase enzyme was recently discovered that breaks down a glycoprotein in mucous membranes and contributes to bacterial vaginosis (J. Clin. Microbiol. 43:5504). You are a research pathologist testing a new inhibitor of this enzyme that you have discovered and want to design experiments to understand the nature of this inhibition. You have a supply of the normal glycoprotein substrate, the inhibitor, and an assay to measure product formation. (a) How might you determine whether inhibition is reversible or irreversible?
(b) If you find that the inhibition is reversible, how would you determine whether the inhibition is competitive or noncompetitive?