Enhancing or restoring enzymatic function in cells is highly desirable in applications ranging from <i>ex vivo</i> cellular manipulations to enzyme replacement therapies in humans. However, because enzymes degrade in biological milieus, achieving long-term enzymatic activities can be challenging. Herein we report on the in cellulo properties of nanofactories that consist of antioxidative enzymes encapsulated in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). We demonstrate that, while free enzymes display weak activities for only a short duration, these efficient nanofactories protect human cells from toxic reactive oxygen species for up to a week. Remarkably, these results are obtained in spite of the nanofactories being localized in lysosomes, acidic organelles that contain a variety of proteases. The long-term persistence of the nanofactories is attributed to the chemical stability of MOF in low pH environment and to the protease-resistance provided by the protective cage formed by the MOF around the encapsulated enzymes.

High efficiency and long-term intracellular activity of an enzymatic nanofactory based on metal-organic frameworks

255th National Meeting (2018)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.