TiO2 as a Nanozyme Mimicking Photolyase to Repair DNA Damage

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c02717
• Publication Date: 2022-11-18T14:26:35Z
• Authors: Qian Zhou; Tianfeng Zhang; Jialong Jie; Yue Hou; Zheng Hu; Zeqing Jiao; Hongmei Su
• Keywords: Photolyase; Pyrimidine dimer; Thymine

Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) is the most abundant DNA photolesion, and it can be repaired by photolyases based on electron-transfer mechanisms. However, photolyase absent in human body lacks stability for applications. Can one develop natural enzyme mimetics utilizing nanoparticles (termed nanozymes) to mimic repairing damage? Herein, we observe successful reversal of thymine T<>T normal T base TiO2 under UVA irradiation. Time-resolved spectroscopy provides direct evidence that photogenerated electron transfers T<>T, causing structural instability initiating repair process. T–T– would then undergo bond cleavage form T–, T– returns an TiO2, finishing photocatalytic cycle. For first time, discovered exhibit properties similar those enzymes, pointing its extraordinary application potential as a nanozyme damage.