Abstract
Enzymes are fundamental biological catalysts responsible for biological regulation and metabolism. The opportunity for enzymes to ‘meet’ nanoparticles and nanomaterials is rapidly increasing due to growing demands for applications in nanomaterial design, environmental monitoring, biochemical engineering, and biomedicine. Therefore, understanding the nature of nanomaterial–enzyme interactions is becoming important. Since 2014, enzymes have been used to modify, degrade, or make nanoparticles/nanomaterials, while numerous nanoparticles/nanomaterials have been used as materials for enzymatic immobilization and biosensors and as enzyme mimicry. Among the various nanoparticles and nanomaterials, metal nanoparticles and carbon nanomaterials have received extensive attention due to their fascinating properties. This review provides an overview about how enzymes meet nanoparticles and nanomaterials.
There have been several pathways for the contact between nanoparticles, nanomaterials, and enzymes: (i) enzymatic modification of nanoparticles and nanomaterials; (ii) enzymatic immobilization and biosensor development by nanoparticles or nanomaterials; (iii) enzymatic degradation of nanoparticles and nanomaterials; (iv) enzyme nanoparticles; and (v) enzyme mimics of nanoparticles or nanomaterials.
Unique physiochemical properties of nanoparticles and nanomaterials help enhance the performance of enzymes and biosensors.
Inherent drawbacks of native enzymes can be overcome, by processing enzymes into nanoparticles or by using nanozymes instead.