Open AccessPolymer-Based Bioorthogonal Nanocatalysts for the Treatment of Bacterial Biofilms
Author(s) -
Rui Huang,
ChengHsuan Li,
Roberto CaoMilàn,
Luke D. He,
Jessa Marie Makabenta,
Xianzhi Zhang,
Erlei Yu,
Vincent M. Rotello
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of the american chemical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.115
H-Index - 612
eISSN - 1520-5126
pISSN - 0002-7863
DOI - 10.1021/jacs.0c01758
Subject(s) - bioorthogonal chemistry , chemistry , nanomaterial based catalyst , catalysis , biofilm , biocompatibility , nanotechnology , combinatorial chemistry , polymer , bacteria , organic chemistry , click chemistry , materials science , biology , genetics
Bioorthogonal catalysis offers a unique strategy to modulate biological processes through the in situ generation of therapeutic agents. However, the direct application of bioorthogonal transition metal catalysts (TMCs) in complex media poses numerous challenges due to issues of limited biocompatibility, poor water solubility, and catalyst deactivation in biological environments. We report here the creation of catalytic "polyzymes", comprised of self-assembled polymer nanoparticles engineered to encapsulate lipophilic TMCs. The incorporation of catalysts into these nanoparticle scaffolds creates water-soluble constructs that provide a protective environment for the catalyst. The potential therapeutic utility of these nanozymes was demonstrated through antimicrobial studies in which a cationic nanozyme was able to penetrate into biofilms and eradicate embedded bacteria through the bioorthogonal activation of a pro-antibiotic.