Supramolecular chirality and crystallization from biocatalytic self-assembly in lipidic cubic mesophases

Expanding the Enzymatic Polymerization Landscape by Lipid Mesophase Soft Nanoconfinement

Soft nanoconfinement can increase chemical reactivity in nature and has therefore led to considerable interest in transferring this universal feature to artificial biological systems. However, little is known about the underlying principles of soft nanoconfinement responsible for the enhancement of biochemical reactions. Herein we demonstrate how enzymatic polymerization can be expanded, optimized, and engineered when carried out under soft nanoconfinement mediated by lipidic mesophases. By systematically varying the water content in the mesophase and thus the diameter of the confined water nanochannels, we show higher efficiency, turnover rate, and degrees of polymerization as compared to the bulk aqueous solution, all controlled by soft nanoconfinement effects. Furthermore, we exploit the unique properties of unfreezing soft nanoconfined water to perform the first enzymatic polymerization at -20 °C in pure aqueous media. These results underpin lipidic mesophases as a versatile host system for chemical reactions and promote them as an original and unexplored platform for enzymatic polymerization.

Mechanisms of Biomolecular Self-Assembly Investigated Through In Situ Observations of Structures and Dynamics

Biomolecular self-assembly of hierarchical materials is a precise and adaptable bottom-up approach to synthesizing across scales with considerable energy, health, environment, sustainability, and information technology applications. To achieve desired functions in biomaterials, it is essential to directly observe assembly dynamics and structural evolutions that reflect the underlying energy landscape and the assembly mechanism. This review will summarize the current understanding of biomolecular assembly mechanisms based on in situ characterization and discuss the broader significance and achievements of newly gained insights. In addition, we will also introduce how emerging deep learning/machine learning-based approaches, multiparametric characterization, and high-throughput methods can boost the development of biomolecular self-assembly. The objective of this review is to accelerate the development of in situ characterization approaches for biomolecular self-assembly and to inspire the next generation of biomimetic materials.

Localized Enzyme-Assisted Self-Assembly of low molecular weight hydrogelators. Mechanism, applications and perspectives

Nature uses systems of high complexity coordinated by the precise spatial and temporal control of associated processes, working from the molecular to the macroscopic scale. This living organization is mainly ensured by enzymatic actions. Herein, we review the concept of Localized Enzyme-Assisted Self-Assembly (LEASA). It is defined and presented as a straightforward and insightful strategy to achieve high levels of control in artificial systems. Indeed, the use of immobilized enzymes to drive self-assembly events leads not only to the local formation of supramolecular structures but also to tune their kinetics and their morphologies. The possibility to design tailored complex systems taking advantage of self-assembled networks through their inherent and emergent properties offers new perspectives for the design of novel, more adaptable materials. As a result, some applications have already been developed and are gathered in this review. Finally, challenges and perspectives of LEASA are introduced and discussed.

Designing cryo-enzymatic reactions in subzero liquid water by lipidic mesophase nanoconfinement

Cryo-enzymology provides the possibility to develop unconventional biological reactions and detect intermediates in ultrafast enzymatic catalysis processes, but also illuminates the understanding of life principles in extremely cold environments. The scarcity of biological or biomimetic host systems that provide liquid water at subzero temperatures inhibits the prosperity of cryo-enzymology. Here we introduce cryo-enzymatic reactions in subzero water nanoconfined within lipid mesophases formed by conventional lipids. We show that the enzymatic reactions that ensue outperform the homologue catalytic processes run at standard temperatures. We use phytantriol-based lipidic mesophases (LMPs), within which water remains in the liquid state down to -120 °C, and combine crystallization and dynamic studies of the confined water to provide a fundamental understanding of the physical status of water at subzero temperatures, which sets the stage for cryo-enzymatic reactions in these environments. In the model horseradish peroxidase oxidization, the cation free-radical product is stabilized in LMPs at -20 °C, in contrast to the fast-consuming reactions at temperatures above 0 °C. Furthermore, the LMP system also supports the cascade reaction and lipase reaction at subzero temperatures, at which enzymatic reactions with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates are successfully carried out. Our designed LMP system opens access to the nature of confined water in the biomimetic environment and provides a platform for low-temperature biomacromolecule reconstitution and the cryogenic control of enzymatic reactions in bionanotechnology.