Functionalized carbon nanotubes specifically bind to alpha-chymotrypsin's catalytic site and regulate its enzymatic function.

Abstract

Although carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been shown to nonspecifically bind proteins through charge complementary, pi-pi stacking or hydrophobic interactions, they have not been shown to bind to a specific site on proteins. By generating surface molecular diversity, we created functionalized CNTs that recognize and bind to the catalytic site of alpha-chymotrypsin and inhibit its enzymatic activity competitively.