Reversible Photoswitchable Inhibitors Generate Ultrasensitivity in Out-of-Equilibrium Enzymatic Reactions.

ABSTRACT: Ultrasensitivity is a ubiquitous emergent property of biochemical reaction networks. The design and construction of synthetic reaction networks exhibiting ultrasensitivity has been challenging, but would greatly expand the potential properties of life-like materials. Herein, we exploit a general and modular strategy to reversibly regulate the activity of enzymes using light and show how ultrasensitivity arises in simple out-of-equilibrium enzymatic systems upon incorporation of reversible photoswitchable inhibitors (PIs). Utilizing a chromophore/warhead strategy, PIs of the protease α-chymotrypsin were synthesized, which led to the discovery of inhibitors with large differences in inhibition constants (K_i) for the different photoisomers. A microfluidic flow setup was used

SUBMITTER: Teders M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8154525 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature