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Nonbubble‐Propelled Biodegradable Microtube Motors Consisting Only of Protein
Author(s) -
Sugai Natsuho,
Morita Yoshitsugu,
Komatsu Teruyuki
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemistry – an asian journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.18
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1861-471X
pISSN - 1861-4728
DOI - 10.1002/asia.201900927
Subject(s) - urea , urease , microporous material , polycarbonate , aqueous solution , proteases , chemistry , chemical engineering , layer (electronics) , biotin , materials science , nanotechnology , enzyme , organic chemistry , biochemistry , engineering
This paper describes the synthesis of protein microtube motors having a urease interior surface and highlights their nonbubble‐propelled behavior driven by enzymatic reaction (urea→NH 3 and CO 2 ). The precursor microtubes were prepared by layer‐by‐layer assembly using a track‐etched microporous polycarbonate membrane. Immobilization of a urease on the internal wall was accomplished using avidin–biotin interaction. The tubules swam smoothly in an aqueous media containing a physiological concentration of urea. Each tubule was rotating laterally while moving forward. It is remarkable that the microtubes were digested completely by proteases, demonstrating perfect biodegradability.