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Updated: May 30, 2025

Light-driven Molecular Motors on Surfaces for Single Molecular Imaging
Published on: March 13, 2019
Single molecule-driven nanomotors reveal the dynamic-disordered chemomechanical transduction of active enzymes
Zhuodong Tang1, Jingyu Wu1, Shaojun Wu1
1State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Ave., Nanjing 210023, China.
Abstract:
Enzymes facilitate the conversion of chemical energy into mechanical work during biochemical reactions, thereby regulating the dynamic metabolic activity of living systems. However, directly observing the energy release facilitated by fluctuating individual enzymes remains a challenge, leading to a contentious debate regarding the underlying reasons for this phenomenon. Here, we aim to overcome this challenge by developing an oscillating nanomotor powered by a single-molecule enzyme, which allows real-time tracking of energy transduction in enzymatic reactions. Through analysis of the shifts in free energy profiles within the nanomotors, our results unveil not only the heterogeneous energy release patterns of individual enzyme molecules but also the dynamic disorder of a particular enzyme in energy release over extended monitoring periods. By exploring six distinct types of single-molecule enzymatic reactions, we provide the direct evidence supporting the argument that the reaction enthalpy governs the enzymatic energy release. This approach has implications for understanding the mechanism of enzymatic catalysis and developing highly efficient nanomotors.
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