Hierarchically Engineered Multi‐Enzyme Nanoreactors for in vitro Drug Biosynthesis and Pathway Transplantation Into Cells

A Ainur Sharip (Biomedical Sciences Division King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia) S Somayah S. Qutub (Biomedical Sciences Division King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia) M Manar M. Farooqui (Biomedical Sciences Division King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia) W Walaa Baslyman (Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE) King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia) N Nida Khalfay (Biomedical Sciences Division King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia) L Lukman O. Alimi (Smart Hybrid Materials (SHMs) Laboratory, Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division) P Patricia Lopez Sanchez (Analytical Chemistry Core Laboratory KAUST Thuwal Saudi Arabia) L Lingyun Zhao (Imaging and Characterization Core Lab, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) M Milena Chernyshevskaia (Biomedical Sciences Division King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia) G Giovanni Colombo (Biomedical Sciences Division King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia) N Niveen M. Khashab (Smart Hybrid Materials (SHMs) Laboratory, Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division) S Stefan T. Arold R Raik Grünberg

Abstract

ABSTRACT Even though most proteins evolved to function within multi‐protein systems such as metabolic networks or signaling pathways, most technical protein applications are based on isolated proteins, for example therapeutic antibodies or industrial enzymes. Reliable methods for the stabilization, in vitro operation and intracellular delivery of multi‐protein systems could unlock new applications in green biotechnology, diagnostics, and medical therapy. We demonstrate that the entire violacein biosynthesis pathway, consisting of up to six separately purified enzymes, can be infiltrated into a hierarchically etched MIL‐101(Fe) (eMIL) metal organic framework. eMIL nanoreactors reshaped pathway dynamics and reaction flows, multiplied violacein yield in vitro and enabled pathway reuse, lyophilization and storage. Moreover, eMIL nanoreactors delivered the six‐protein system into mammalian cells, where it produced violacein from cell‐provided substrates and cofactors. These findings pave the way for the design of “smart” stimuli‐responsive multi‐enzyme nanoreactors for biotechnological and medical applications.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 34
Published June 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (13)

A

Ainur Sharip

Biomedical Sciences Division King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia

S

Somayah S. Qutub

Biomedical Sciences Division King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia

M

Manar M. Farooqui

Biomedical Sciences Division King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia

W

Walaa Baslyman

Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE) King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia

N

Nida Khalfay

Biomedical Sciences Division King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia

L

Lukman O. Alimi

Smart Hybrid Materials (SHMs) Laboratory, Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division

P

Patricia Lopez Sanchez

Analytical Chemistry Core Laboratory KAUST Thuwal Saudi Arabia

L

Lingyun Zhao

Imaging and Characterization Core Lab, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

M

Milena Chernyshevskaia

Biomedical Sciences Division King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia

G

Giovanni Colombo

Biomedical Sciences Division King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal Saudi Arabia

N

Niveen M. Khashab

Smart Hybrid Materials (SHMs) Laboratory, Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division

S

Stefan T. Arold

R

Raik Grünberg