Radio-controlled enzymes
Now scientists can monitor the activity of the enzyme using radio frequencies
Alexey Yevglevsky, Naked Science
Scientists from ITMO University (St. Petersburg) have come up with and implemented a way to control enzymes using radio frequency radiation. Their study is published in the journal ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering (Andreeva et al., Enzymatic Nanocomposites with Radio Frequency Field-Modulated Activity).
Enzymes are complex protein molecules, ribosomes or their composite complexes that accelerate chemical reactions in the body. Usually, the intensity of these substances is controlled chemically, but scientists from ITMO University applied a different approach and showed that it is possible to control enzymes physically and remotely using a radio frequency field.
They conducted an experiment on carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme that in humans is mainly contained in red blood cells, cells of the gastric mucosa, adrenal cortex and kidneys. To subdue it, the authors synthesized complexes in which the enzyme is enclosed in a rigid porous framework of magnetite nanoparticles. Due to the influence of radio waves, the temperature of the nanoparticles increases, as a result of which the enzyme receives additional energy. Therefore, the reaction rate can be increased several times. In the case of carbonic anhydrase, the rate increased fourfold.
©ITMO University
Andrey Drozdov, an employee of the SCAMT laboratory at ITMO University, spoke about the features of the study:
"There is very little work on controlling enzymes using radio waves. Our study was the first in which it was possible to increase the activity of a non-thermostable enzyme. Usually such enzymes change their conformation at high temperatures and stop working. But if we put an enzyme in a rigid frame of nanoparticles, it will not be able to change its conformation: nanoparticles mechanically limit its mobility."
This approach has two main advantages: firstly, radio radiation easily penetrates into tissues, and secondly, it is harmless to the body. Thus, the work opens the way for easy control of enzyme activity and contributes to the correction of cell metabolism.
According to the first author of the article, Yulia Andreeva, the project has potential: in the future, researchers hope to test the method on other enzymes and living cells. They want to find out whether it is possible to force bacteria or cells to divide more often or, conversely, to stop dividing altogether.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru