A Noncovalent Photoswitch for Photochemical Regulation of Enzymatic Activity

Abstract

Photochemical regulation provides a promising approach for controlling enzyme activity on demand owing to its high spatiotemporal resolution. However, reversible regulation of the enzyme activity by light usually requires genetic mutations and covalent modifications of the target enzymes, which may lead to irreversible changes in the enzyme structure and subsequent loss of the enzymatic activity. Herein, we have developed a novel strategy based on a polymeric inhibitor-encapsulated enzyme, which noncovalently anchors the azobenzene-modified inhibitors to the enzyme active site, thereby achieving reversible control of the activity of native enzymes using light. As neither genetic mutation nor chemical modification of enzymes is required for this method, negligible loss of the enzymatic activity was observed for the encapsulated enzymes compared to their native counterparts. Thus, this approach has demonstrated a promising strategy for achieving reversible regulation of the activity of native enzymes.

Mechanically Controlled Enzymatic Polymerization and Remodeling

“…The use of external stimuli to control enzymatic activity has been mostly accomplished through light. 3,4 This enables a variety of applications such as photopatterninng of hydrogel and antibacterial coating. 5 In comparison to light, mechanical force has garnered significant attention in the past decades, with applications ranging from destructive to constructive purposes.…”

“…In material chemistry, enzymes were used as catalysts to promote chemical reactions and regulate a material’s performance. The use of external stimuli to control enzymatic activity has been mostly accomplished through light. , This enables a variety of applications such as photopatterninng of hydrogel and antibacterial coating …”