Enzyme molecules as nanomotors.

Samudra Sengupta, Krishna K Dey, Hari S Muddana, Tristan Tabouillot, Michael E Ibele, Peter J Butler, Ayusman Sen

Index: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 135(4) , 1406-14, (2013)

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Abstract

Using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, we show that the diffusive movements of catalase enzyme molecules increase in the presence of the substrate, hydrogen peroxide, in a concentration-dependent manner. Employing a microfluidic device to generate a substrate concentration gradient, we show that both catalase and urease enzyme molecules spread toward areas of higher substrate concentration, a form of chemotaxis at the molecular scale. Using glucose oxidase and glucose to generate a hydrogen peroxide gradient, we induce the migration of catalase toward glucose oxidase, thereby showing that chemically interconnected enzymes can be drawn together.