Reduction-triggered Disassembly of Organic Cationic Nanorods Produces a Cysteine Protease Mimic (Miravet et al.)

Abstract

The emergence of catalytic activity associated with a disassembly process is reported, reminiscent of complex biological systems. A cystine derivative with pendant imidazole groups self-assembles into cationic nanorods in the presence of the cationic surfactants cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Disulfide reduction triggers nanorod disassembly and the generation of a simple cysteine protease mimic, which shows a dramatically improved catalytic efficiency in the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA).

Keywords: cysteine protease; enzyme mimic; self-assembled rods; stimuli-responsive nanoparticles.