Triggering enzymatic activity with force

Nano Lett. 2009 Sep;9(9):3290-5. doi: 10.1021/nl9015705.

Abstract

Integrating single molecule force spectroscopy with fluorescence-based techniques allows the manipulation of an enzyme with a periodic stretching and relaxation protocol while simultaneously monitoring its catalytic activity. After releasing the stretching force we observe a higher probability for enzymatic activity at a time of 1.7 s. A detailed theoretical analysis reveals that the relaxation from the force-induced enzyme conformation to the observed active conformation follows a cascade reaction with several steps and a free energy difference of at least 8 k(B)T. Our study clearly points out the direct influence of force on enzymatic activity and opens up a new way to study and manipulate (bio)catalytic reactions at the single molecule level.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Fluoresceins / chemistry
  • Fluorescence
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Lipase / chemistry
  • Lipase / metabolism*
  • Nanotechnology

Substances

  • Fluoresceins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • 6-carboxyfluorescein
  • 6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate
  • 4-carboxyfluorescein
  • 5-carboxyfluorescein diacetate
  • Lipase
  • lipase B, Candida antarctica