Mimicking the cellular environment, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising for encapsulating enzymes for general applications in environments often unfavorable for native enzymes. Markedly different from previous researches based on bulk solution synthesis, here, we report the synthesis of enzyme-embedded MOFs in a microfluidic laminar flow. The continuously changed concentrations of MOF precursors in the gradient mixing on-chip resulted in structural defects in products. This defect-generating phenomenon enables multimodal pore size distribution in MOFs and therefore allows improved access of substrates to encapsulated enzymes while maintaining the protection to the enzymes. Thus, the as-produced enzyme-MOF composites showed much higher (~one order of magnitude) biological activity than those from conventional bulk solution synthesis. This work suggests that while microfluidic flow synthesis is currently underexplored, it is a promising strategy in producing highly active enzyme-MOF composites.

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Enzyme-photo-coupled catalysis produces fine chemicals by combining the high selectivity of an enzyme with the green energy input of sunlight. Operating a large-scale system, however, remains challenging because of the...

Photosynthesis, as an efficient pathway for solar energy capture and utilization, has supported aerobionts for billions of years. The imitation of photosynthesis to construct artificial photo-enzymatic-coupling catalysis system has become a powerful means to solve energy and environmental problems. After years of in-depth research on this coupled system, through ingenious and rational design, the synergistic effect of photo-and enzymatic catalyses has played a significant role in many different fields, including solar-driven fuel production, chiral chemical synthesis and carbon dioxide fixation. Furthermore, light in enzymatic catalysis could also endow enzyme new possibilities. Photo-induced radical cofactor could bring catalytic promiscuity to enzymes, making them catalyze reactions that natural enzymes cannot. This review summarizes the advances in photo-enzymatic-coupling catalysis system and introduces its essential components, their integration and application. The possibilities presented by photo-induced catalytic promiscuity and its significance for expanding the toolbox of enzymes are also discussed.

Photoperiod and thermo-sensitive genic male sterile (PTGMS) rice is an important resource for two line hybrid rice production. The SQUAMOSA–promoter binding, such as the (SPL) gene family, encode the plant specific transcription factors that regulate development and defense responses in plants. However, the reports about SPLs participating in male fertility regulation are limited. Here, we identified 19 OsSPL family members and investigated their involvement in the fertility regulation of the PTGMS rice lines, PA2364S and PA2864S, with different fertility transition temperatures. The results demonstrated that OsSPL2, OsSPL4, OsSPL16 and OsSPL17 affect male fertility in response to temperature changes through the MiR156-SPL module. WGCNA (weighted gene co-expression network analysis) revealed that CHI and APX1 were co-expressed with OsSPL17. Targeted metabolite and flavonoid biosynthetic gene expression analysis revealed that OsSPL17 regulates the expression of flavonoid biosynthesis genes CHI, and the up regulation of flavanones (eriodictvol and naringenin) and flavones (apigenin and luteolin) content contributed to plant fertility. Meanwhile, OsSPL17 negatively regulates APX1 to affect APX (ascorbate peroxidase) activity, thereby regulating ROS (reactive oxygen species) content in the tapetum, controlling the PCD (programmed cell death) process and regulating male fertility in rice. Overall, this report highlights the potential role of OsSPL for the regulation of male fertility in rice and provides a new insight for the further understanding of fertility molecular mechanisms in PTGMS rice.