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Updated: Feb 14, 2026
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A Micropatterning Assay for Measuring Cell Chirality
Published on: March 11, 2022
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Peptide-Directed Chiral Gold Nanozymes for Asymmetric Polymerization and Chirality-Selective Cytotoxicity
Yu Qin1, Juntao Hu1,2, Ziyu Kuai1,2
1Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.
Biomacromolecules
|February 12, 2026
Summary
Chiral gold nanozymes catalyze enantioselective polymerization of Ritodrine (RITO). The resulting polymers show enhanced cytotoxicity, with Poly-d-RITO demonstrating significant anti-cancer effects via membrane damage.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- Macromolecular chirality is crucial for biological interactions and drug development.
- Developing methods for precise control over chirality in synthetic polymers is essential.
- Chiral nanozymes offer potential for catalysis and targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop chiral gold nanozymes for enantioselective polymerization.
- To investigate the biological activity of polymers synthesized via nanozyme-driven asymmetric polymerization.
- To explore the potential of these polymers in chiral drug development and cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of chiral gold nanozymes (l-/d-AuNEs) with peptide ligands.
- Catalysis of enantioselective oxidative coupling of Ritodrine (RITO) monomers.
- Evaluation of polymer cytotoxicity and mechanistic studies of cellular interactions.
Main Results:
- High-yield enantioselective polymerization of RITO was achieved using l-/d-AuNEs.
- Resulting polymers (Poly-l-RITO and Poly-d-RITO) exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity compared to the monomer.
- Poly-d-RITO showed a higher pro-apoptotic effect, accumulating at the cell membrane and causing damage.
Conclusions:
- Chiral nanozymes can drive asymmetric polymerization for creating enantiomerically pure polymers.
- Chirality influences polymer bioactivity and cellular interactions, demonstrating a chirality-dependent biointerface effect.
- Nanozyme-mediated polymerization presents a novel strategy for chiral drug development and targeted cancer therapy.
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