A novel assay based on pre-equilibrium titration curves for the determination of enzyme inhibitor binding kinetics

Selection of pharmacological agents based on potency measurements performed at equilibrium fail to incorporate the kinetic aspects of the drug-target interaction. Here we describe a method for screening or characterization of enzyme inhibitors that allows the concomitant determination of the equilibrium inhibition constant in unison with rates of complex formation and dissociation. The assay is distinct from conventional enzymatic assays and is based on the analysis of inhibition curves recorded prior to full equilibration of the system. The methodology is illustrated using bicyclic peptide inhibitors of the serine protease plasma kallikrein.