Lipid-Based Catalysis Demonstrated by Bilayer-Enabled Ester Hydrolysis.

ABSTRACT: Lipids have not traditionally been considered likely candidates for catalyzing reactions in biological systems. However, there is significant evidence that aggregates of amphiphilic compounds are capable of catalyzing reactions in synthetic organic chemistry. Here, we demonstrate the potential for the hydrophobic region of a lipid bilayer to provide an environment suitable for catalysis by means of a lipid aggregate capable of speeding up a chemical reaction. By bringing organic molecules into the nonpolar or hydrophobic region of a lipid bilayer, reactions can be catalyzed by individual or collections of small, nonpolar, or amphiphilic molecules. We demonstrate this concept by the ester hydrolysis of calcein-AM to produce a fluorescent product, which is a widely used assay for esterase ac

SUBMITTER: Liu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11356346 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature