Novel enzyme/DNA/inorganic nanomaterials: a new generation of biocatalysts

The design, synthesis and properties of a new class of enzyme/DNA/inorganic nanobiomaterials are described here. DNA has been used to stabilize the enzymes intercalated in the galleries of the inorganic solid, α-Zr(IV) phosphate (α-Zr(HPO₄)₂·H₂O, abbreviated as α-ZrP). Interestingly, the presence of DNA improved the activity and stability of the bound enzymes. Key studies leading to the current strategy are presented initially, and these are followed by more recent developments. Several enzymes and proteins, including horseradish peroxidase, lysozyme, glucose oxidase, chymotrypsin, bovine serum albumin, cytochrome c, met-hemoglobin and met-myoglobin are successfully intercalated in the galleries of α-ZrP, under benign ambient conditions (aqueous buffered solutions, at room temperature and neutral pH). These novel materials are characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM as well as by biochemical, calorimetric and spectroscopic methods. Spectroscopic studies (circular dichroism, CD), for example, indicated that co-intercalation of DNA improved the retention of bound enzyme structure. The activity was enhanced markedly (five-fold) when DNA is co-intercalated, when compared to the activity in the absence of DNA. Addition of DNA to the sample, after enzyme intercalation, did not make any improvements. Our hypothesis is that enzyme–DNA supramolecular complex binds to the solid and the unfavorable interactions between the enzyme and the solid are minimized. These novel nanobiocomposite materials provide a simple method for packaging DNA and aid in engineering more effective synthetic materials for gene/RNA-delivery and drug delivery applications.