Ji Seon “Lucy” Shon–Single-Chain Nanoparticle Delivers a Partner Enzyme for Concurrent and Tandem Catalysis in Cells

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Abstract: “In biological environment, enzymes catalyze reactions at extremely high efficiency and selectivity. The polypeptide scaffolds of enzymes selectively bind substrates to the catalytic to increase the efficiency. Single-chain nanoparticles have been developed with Ru(bpy)3 as enzyme mimic photocatalyst. They have been shown to penetrate the cell membrane and perform the reactions inside cells. More importantly, the nanoparticles can co-deliver an exogenous enzyme (beta-galactosidase) into cells and reside in endosomes. The SCNP-enzyme complex preserves their activity and perform concurrent or tandem reactions intracellularly. Therefore, the endosomes are engineered as artificial organelles, which efficiently producing fluorescent compounds or bioactive agents intracellularly.”

Shon_Text transcript

5 thoughts on “Ji Seon “Lucy” Shon–Single-Chain Nanoparticle Delivers a Partner Enzyme for Concurrent and Tandem Catalysis in Cells”

  1. Hi Lucy, great presentation! I am interested to know if you ever looked at what happens if you take a mixture of P1 and 1 (or Ru(bpy)3) without forming the SCNP and conduct the same conversion experiment. Does the presence of P1 in any way assist permeation of Ru compounds into the cells if it isn’t incorporated in an SCNP? Also, would you be willing to discuss more about the co-catalytic ability of P1 with 1?

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Michael,

      Thank you for the question. We haven’t done the experiments to compare the conversion with a mixture of P1 and 1. However, what we know is that the existing molecule 1 (Ru(bpy)3) is a known photocatalyst. A Ru(bpy)3 would reduce azide to amine with iridescence. Our research has shown that our Ru-SCNP performed better photoreduction than Ru(bpy)3.

      Lucy

  2. At one point you indicate that your single chain nanoparticles penetrate the cells well and in another place you say they have low cell permeability. Which is it?

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Linda,

      First, I appreciate your comment.
      Our single chain nanoparticle contains Ru(bpy)3, which is an already existing catalyst. This known Ru(bpy)3 has low cell permeability. However, our Ru(buy)3 containing single-chain nanoparticle (Ru-SCNP) had better cell permeability compared to the original Ru(bpy)3.
      Please feel free to comment below for further questions!

      Lucy

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