Oxidase-Like Fe-N-C Single-Atom Nanozymes for the Detection of Acetylcholinesterase Activity

Small. 2019 Oct;15(43):e1903108. doi: 10.1002/smll.201903108. Epub 2019 Sep 4.

Abstract

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted extensive attention in the catalysis field because of their remarkable catalytic activity, gratifying stability, excellent selectivity, and 100% atom utilization. With atomically dispersed metal active sites, Fe-N-C SACs can mimic oxidase by activating O2 into reactive oxygen species, O2- • radicals. Taking advantages of this property, single-atom nanozymes (SAzymes) can become a great impetus to develop novel biosensors. Herein, the performance of Fe-N-C SACs as oxidase-like nanozymes is explored. Besides, the Fe-N-C SAzymes are applied in biosensor areas to evaluate the activity of acetylcholinesterase based on the inhibition toward nanozyme activity by thiols. Moreover, this SAzymes-based biosensor is further used for monitoring the amounts of organophosphorus compounds.

Keywords: acetylcholinesterase; biosensors; nanozymes; organophosphorus compounds; single-atom catalysts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / analysis*
  • Acetylthiocholine / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Carbon / chemistry*
  • Iron / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure
  • Nitrogen / chemistry*
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Substances

  • Acetylthiocholine
  • Carbon
  • Iron
  • Oxidoreductases
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Nitrogen