Dual-Single-Atom Ruthenium-Copper Anchored on Magnesium-Aluminum Layered Double Hydroxide Enhancing Dual-Enzymatic...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Catalysis

Background:

• Single-atom nanozymes (SANs) offer tunable metal active centers for antitumor therapy but face challenges in biocompatibility, biodegradability, and scalable synthesis.
• High-temperature pyrolysis limits practical applications of current SANs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct a layered double hydroxide (LDH)-based SAN with peroxidase-like (POD-like) activity and glutathione depletion capability for improved cancer therapy.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of bimetallic ruthenium (Ru) and copper (Cu) single atoms within an LDH framework.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a MgAl-LDH-based SAN incorporating single-atom dispersed Ru and Cu (MgAl-LDH/Ru/Cu).
• Evaluation of POD-like and glutathione peroxidase-like (GPx-like) catalytic activities.
• Density functional theory (DFT) calculations to understand reaction mechanisms.
• In vitro and in vivo experiments to assess anti-liver cancer efficacy.

Main Results:

• MgAl-LDH/Ru/Cu exhibited enhanced POD-like and GPx-like activities due to synergistic Ru/Cu bimetallic effects.
• DFT calculations revealed lower energy barriers for catalytic reactions at bimetallic single-atom sites.
• In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed superior anti-liver cancer efficacy of MgAl-LDH/Ru/Cu compared to single-metal SANs.
• Established a correlation between catalytic structural units and enzyme activity for cancer therapy.

Conclusions:

• MgAl-LDH-based bimetallic SANs represent a promising synergistic multienzyme nanoplatform for cancer therapy.
• Tunable elemental composition and enhanced catalytic activities offer new avenues for antitumor strategies.
• This work paves the way for further research into multienzyme nanoplatforms and their antitumor effects.