Reduction‐triggered Disassembly of Organic Cationic Nanorods Produces a Cysteine Protease Mimic (Miravet et al.)

Abstract

AbstractThe emergence of catalytic activity associated with a disassembly process is reported, reminiscent of complex biological systems. A cystine derivative with pendant imidazole groups self‐assembles into cationic nanorods in the presence of the cationic surfactants cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Disulfide reduction triggers nanorod disassembly and the generation of a simple cysteine protease mimic, which shows a dramatically improved catalytic efficiency in the hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA).