{"id":323177,"date":"2021-08-12T18:02:25","date_gmt":"2021-08-12T15:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/a-silica-nanostructure-with-chemo-enzymatic-compartmentalization\/"},"modified":"2021-08-12T18:02:25","modified_gmt":"2021-08-12T15:02:25","slug":"a-silica-nanostructure-with-chemo-enzymatic-compartmentalization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/a-silica-nanostructure-with-chemo-enzymatic-compartmentalization\/","title":{"rendered":"#A silica nanostructure with chemo-enzymatic compartmentalization"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#A silica nanostructure with chemo-enzymatic compartmentalization<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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\"Silica
\n Electron micrographs of SiJAR (left), electron micrographs and fluorescence micrographs of SiJAR-injected cells (right). Credit: POSTECH
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As COVID-19 vaccinations are well underway, people await a return to normal life. However, fears also grow due to unforeseen side effects like the rare thrombosis. In the body, life is maintained by the movement of substances or energy. Chemical reactions are regulated by the presence of organelles, or core structures of cells, that accommodate specific enzymes or cofactors. A nanoreactor with both the activity of a synthetic catalyst, such as an artificial organelle that mimics a cell, and the properties of an enzyme, creates a platform for selectively synthesizing natural enantiomeric bioactive molecules that can respond to pathogens in the body. However, until now, a nanoreactor with the functions of both a synthetic catalyst and an enzyme for such a platform has not been reported.<\/p>\n


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To this end, a research team at POSTECH has recently synthesized a chemo-enzymatic nanostructure that can selectively synthesize one enantiomer while acting like an artificial organelle in the cell.<\/p>\n

A research team led by Professor In Su Lee, Research Professor Amit Kumar, and Ph.D. candidate Seonock Kim of POSTECH’s Department of Chemistry has succeeded in designing a silica nanostructure (SiJAR) as an artificial organelle for selective synthesis of enantiomers in cells. This research finding was selected as the front cover of Angewandte Chemie<\/i>, and published online on June 21, 2021.<\/p>\n

The first consideration in designing nanostructures for intracellular app<\/a>lications is to stably co-localize and maintain the reactive surface of catalytic nanocrystals while protecting the enzyme from inactivation. Until now, the catalysis of nature-inspired hollow nanostructures accommodating catalytic nanocrystals or enzymes, or both, has only been experimentally proven and has not been demonstrated in living organisms. This is because microporous closed nanostructures restrict the entry and co-localization of catalytic nanocrystals and large-size biomolecules. <\/p>\n

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\n Schematic diagram of in vivo enantioselective molecular synthesis using SiJAR. Credit: POSTECH
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The research team synthesized round jar-shaped SiJARs with chemo-responsive metal-silicate lids by modifying the chemical composition of a section in the reactor using spatiotemporal-controlled thermal conversion chemistry. Due to the divided configuration of SiJAR, different catalytic noble metals (Pt, Pd, Ru) were selectively modified on the lid-section by galvanic reactions. Subsequently, the lid was opened under mild acidic conditions or an intracellular environment, creating a wide-passage into the shell while shifting the residual metal catalyst of the lid inwards. This open structure accommodates large enzymes, thus facilitating encapsulation.<\/p>\n

The nanoreactor synthesized in this study is composed of silica with high biocompatibility and by protecting catalytic nanocrystals or large biomolecules in an open-mouth silica-compartment, it performed asymmetric aldol reaction with high enantioselectivity via an enzyme-metal co-operative transition state stabilization. In addition, the researchers confirmed that it functions as an artificial catalytic organelle by stably performing the reaction inside living cells.<\/p>\n

The hybrid chemoenzymatic nanodevice, customizable through this sophisticated solid-state conversion strategy, has a structure and function similar to that of intracellular organelles, and can be utilized for synthesizing active therapeutics and bioimaging probes locally inside cells to be suitable for use in next generation bioimaging and treatment.<\/p>\n

“With the results of this research using the unique Nanospace-Confined Chemical Reactions (NCCR), we look forward to developing the technology<\/a> that artificially regulates cell functions,” commented Professor In Su Lee who led the study.<\/p>\n\n

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Nanocatalysts that remotely control chemical reactions inside living cells\n <\/p><\/div>\n

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\n More information:<\/strong>
\n Seonock Kim et al, Silica Jar\u2010with\u2010Lid as Chemo\u2010Enzymatic Nano\u2010Compartment for Enantioselective Synthesis inside Living Cells, Angewandte Chemie International Edition<\/i> (2021). DOI: 10.1002\/anie.202103165<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Provided by
\n Pohang University of Science<\/a> & Technology (POSTECH)<\/p>\n

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Citation<\/strong>:
\n A silica nanostructure with chemo-enzymatic compartmentalization (2021, August 12)
\n retrieved 12 August 2021
\n from https:\/\/phys.org\/news<\/a>\/2021-08-silica-nanostructure-chemo-enzymatic-compartmentalization.html<\/p>\n

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
\n part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n