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Protein redox by a piezoelectric acousto-nanodevice
Sophia Selvarajan1,2, Hyunji Shim1, Eunjeong Byun1
1Department of Electronics Engineering, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea. shsong.ee@sookmyung.ac.kr.
Nanoscale
|July 21, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed an acousto-nanodevice using barium titanate nanoparticles to control protein oxidation via ultrasound. This innovation enables precise modulation of biological processes with potential for deeper tissue treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and Nanomedicine
- Protein Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Protein redox is critical for biological functions.
- External modulation of protein redox offers therapeutic potential.
- Existing methods lack precise control or deep penetration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an acousto-nanodevice for external control of protein redox.
- To demonstrate nanodevice-mediated oxidation of cytochrome c using ultrasound.
- To elucidate the mechanism of unidirectional electron transfer.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a nanodevice using surface-engineered barium titanate (BTO) nanoparticles with gold half-coating.
- Application of ultrasonic irradiation to activate the nanodevice.
- Utilizing cytochrome c as a model protein to demonstrate oxidation.
Main Results:
- The acousto-nanodevice successfully mediated protein oxidation under ultrasonic irradiation.
- Unidirectional electron transfer was observed, driven by BTO's alternating electrical polarization.
- Modulation of the gold surface work function facilitated directed electron transfer.
Conclusions:
- A novel class of ultrasonically powered, nano-sized protein redox agents was created.
- This technology allows for highly selective modulation of biological processes.
- Potential for deeper treatment sites in biological systems is demonstrated.
