History of Enzymes

- The term 'enzyme' was introduced by Kiihne in 1878, although the first observation of enzyme activity in a test tube was reported by Payen and Persoz in 1833. During 1890s, Fisher suggested the 'lock and key' model of enzyme action, while a mathematical model of enzyme action was proposed by Michaelis and Menten in 1913. in 1926, Sumner crystallized, for the first time, an enzyme (urease).

The transition state theory of enzyme action was put forth by Pauling in 1948, and in 1951 Pauling and Corey discovered, the (X-helix and sheet structures of enzymes. Sanger, in 1953, determined the amino acid sequence of a protein (insulin). In 1986, Cech discovered catalytic RNA, while Lerner and Schutlz developed catalytic antibodies.