Highly efficient enzyme encapsulation in a protein nanocage: towards enzyme catalysis in a cellular nanocompartment mimic. Issue 30 (13th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schoonen, Lise; Nolte, Roeland J. M.; van Hest, Jan C. M.
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 8:Issue 30(2016)
• Page Start: 14467
• Page End: 14472
• Publication Date: 2016-07-13
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c6nr04181g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : A Sortase-based strategy is described to encapsulate enzymes in a viral capsid, to study their kinetics in a biomimetic environment. Abstract : The study of enzyme behavior in small nanocompartments is crucial for the understanding of biocatalytic processes in the cellular environment. We have developed an enzymatic conjugation strategy to attach a model enzyme to the interior of a cowpea chlorotic mottle virus capsid. It is shown that with this methodology high encapsulation efficiencies can be achieved. Additionally, we demonstrate that the encapsulation does not affect the enzyme performance in terms of a decreased activity or a hampered substrate diffusion. Finally, it is shown that the encapsulated enzymes are protected against proteases. We believe that our strategy can be used to study enzyme kinetics in an environment that approaches physiological conditions.