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Published on: January 24, 2025
Oppositely Charged Single Enzyme Nanogels Form Versatile Coacervates for Efficient Enzyme Cascade Catalysis
Andoni Rodriguez-Abetxuko1, Nadia A Erkamp1, Neshat Moslehi1
1Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|June 12, 2026
Summary
This study introduces novel coacervates made from oppositely charged single enzyme nanogels. This biomimetic approach enhances enzyme cascade efficiency for biocatalysis and biosynthetic applications.
Area of Science:
- Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering
- Biomaterials Science
- Phase Separation Chemistry
Background:
- Conventional enzymatic cascade systems face challenges like poor enzyme distribution, stoichiometry control, substrate access, and suboptimal microenvironments.
- Mimicking natural metabolic pathways is key to improving biocatalysis efficiency.
- Cellular biomolecular condensates offer inspiration for advanced enzyme immobilization and reaction environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel platform for enhanced enzymatic cascade reactions using phase-separated coacervates.
- To overcome limitations of traditional enzyme immobilization and reaction engineering.
- To create a versatile scaffold for coupled enzyme systems through protein-polymer engineering.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of oppositely charged single enzyme nanogels (SENs).
- Induction of phase separation to form microdroplet coacervates from SENs.
- Tuning SEN ratios to create enzyme-specific microenvironments.
- Demonstration with pharmaceutically relevant enzymes for cascade reactions.
Main Results:
- Coacervates formed readily under broad environmental conditions.
- The platform enabled selective substrate enrichment and efficient intermediate diffusion.
- Cascade productivity was significantly enhanced compared to conventional methods.
- The system demonstrated applicability in pharmaceutically relevant biosynthetic pathways.
Conclusions:
- Oppositely charged SEN coacervates provide an effective scaffold and functional unit for enzymatic cascades.
- This approach overcomes key limitations in biocatalysis, including enzyme distribution and microenvironment control.
- The integration of protein-polymer engineering and phase separation chemistry opens new avenues for advanced biocatalytic systems.
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