Base-catalyzed feedback in the urea-urease reaction

J Phys Chem B. 2010 Nov 11;114(44):14059-63. doi: 10.1021/jp106532d.

Abstract

The bell-shaped rate-pH curve coupled to production of base in the urea-urease reaction was utilized to give feedback-driven behavior: an acid-to-base pH clock (a kinetic switch), bistability and hysteresis between an acid/base state when the initial pH was adjusted by a strong acid, and aperiodic pH oscillations when the initial pH was adjusted by a weak acid in an open reactor. A simple model of the reaction reproduced most of the experimental results and provided insight into the role of self-buffering in the dynamics. This reaction suggests new possibilities in the development of biocompatible feedback to couple to pH-sensitive processes for bioinspired applications in medicine, engineering, or materials science.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biocatalysis*
  • Biomimetics
  • Enzyme Stability
  • Feedback, Physiological*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Chemical
  • Protein Binding
  • Urea / metabolism*
  • Urease / metabolism*

Substances

  • Urea
  • Urease