Synergistically catalytic nanozymes based on heme-protein active site model for dual-signal and ultrasensitive detection of H2O2 in living cells

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. B, Chemical Chemical, 2021-04, Vol.333, p.129564, Article 129564
• Main Authors: Hu, Xiaojun, Chen, Jie, Hu, Ruhui, Zhu, Zhikang, Lai, Zhaojia, Zhu, Xiaoyu, Zhu, Han, Koh, Kwangnak, Chen, Hongxia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aqueous solutions; Bioassays; Catalytic activity; Cells (biology); Colorimetry; Electron transfer; Gold; Gold nanoparticles; Heme-protein active sites; Hydrogen peroxide; Molecular docking; Morphology; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanozyme; Peroxidase; Porphyrin; Proteins; Self-assembly; Two dimensional models; Two-dimensional materials
• ISSN: 0925-4005; 1873-3077
• DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2021.129564

•A peroxidase-like nanozyme, two-dimensional nanonetwork, was developed by FeP and pSC4-AuNPs via the self-assembled method.•The catalytic mechanism was explained by the active site model, electron transfer promotion effect, and 2D morphology.•Colorimetric and electrochemical bioassays were performed on the in situ detection of H2O2 in living cells.•The approach provides the catalytic and functional evolution for heme-proteins models via the combination with nanomaterials. Herein, a peroxidase-like nanozyme (FeP-pSC4-AuNPs), two-dimensional nanonetwork, was developed by a cationic metalloporphyrin (FeP) and supramolecular-modified gold nanoparticles (pSC4-AuNPs) via the self-assembled method in aqueous solution. It involved the synergistically catalytic effects of the nanomaterials and the structural mimic of a heme-protein active site. The host-guest recognition of the ordered assembly was studied by molecular docking, proving a favorable interaction between the supramolecular and FeP. The nanozyme showed a highly catalytic activity with the increase of 3.3 and 2.7 times compared to that of pSC4-AuNPs and FeP respectively. The mechanisms were explained by the heme-protein active site model, electron transfer promotion effect of AuNPs to FeP, and two-dimensional morphology. It was also robust to a wide range of pH, temperature, and storage conditions. Accordingly, the nanozyme was applied to the colorimetric and electrochemical bioassays for in situ detection of H2O2 in living cells, demonstrating the satisfactory sensitivity. As a result, this study achieved the ordered fabrication of a nonozyme with the synthetic simplicity and superior catalytic performance, and will facilitate the researches on the development, rational design, and bioassay applications of nanozymes.