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A Membrane-Embedded Macromolecular Catalyst with Substrate Selectivity in Live Cells.

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Synthetic enzyme mimics show substrate selectivity within cells. Researchers developed a cationic dense-shell nanoparticle (DSNP) catalyst that works on cell membranes, enabling targeted synthesis and transport of specific molecules into cells.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomimetic chemistry
  • Nanotechnology
  • Cellular catalysis

Background:

  • Enzymes exhibit substrate selectivity, a key feature for catalysis.
  • Developing synthetic enzyme mimics with similar selectivity for abiotic transformations is a major goal.
  • Previous synthetic mimics lacked selectivity within living systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the *in cellulo* substrate selectivity of an enzyme-mimicking macromolecular catalyst.
  • To investigate the structure-activity relationship of cationic dense-shell nanoparticles (DSNPs).
  • To demonstrate the application of DSNPs as membrane-embedded catalysts (MECs) for on-membrane synthesis and intracellular delivery.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic structure-activity relationship study of DSNPs.
  • Evaluation of DSNP membrane affinity based on charge density, charge type, and particle size.
  • Demonstration of on-membrane ligation using phosphonium-rich DSNPs as MECs.
  • Assessment of substrate selectivity toward lipophilic and anionic molecules.

Main Results:

  • DSNPs exhibit excellent membrane affinity, influenced by charge properties and size.
  • Phosphonium-rich DSNPs function effectively as membrane-embedded catalysts (MECs).
  • The DSNP catalyst maintains substrate selectivity for lipophilic and anionic substrates during on-membrane ligation.
  • Low cell-permeability, anionic molecules were successfully synthesized on the cell membrane and transported into eukaryotic cells.

Conclusions:

  • Cationic DSNPs can be engineered as effective enzyme mimics with *in cellulo* substrate selectivity.
  • DSNPs serve as efficient membrane-embedded catalysts for on-membrane synthesis.
  • This strategy facilitates the intracellular delivery of challenging molecules by on-membrane formation and transport.