Impact of metal nanoparticles on the structure and function of metabolic enzymes

The widespread use of nanoparticles raises many serious concerns about the safety and environmental impact of nanoparticles. Therefore, risk assessments of specific nanoparticles in occupational and environmental exposure are essential before their large-scale production and applications, especially in medicine and for usage in household items. In this study, the effects of five different metal nanoparticles on the structure, stability, and function of four metabolic enzymes were evaluated using various biophysical techniques. Our results show that Cu nanoparticles exhibited the most significant adverse effects on the structures, stability, and activities of all the metabolic enzymes. Zn nanoparticles caused moderate adverse effects on these enzymes. The rest of the metal (Al, Fe, and Ni) nanoparticles had a relatively lower impact on the metabolic enzymes. Our data indicated that Cu nanoparticles promote metal-catalyzed disulfide bond formation in these proteins. In summary, some metal nanoparticles can cause adverse effects on the structure, function, and stability of metabolic enzymes. In addition, metal nanoparticles may affect protein homeostasis in the cytosol or extracellular fluids.