Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes Specifically Bind to alpha-Chymotrypsin's Catalytic Site and Regulate Its Enzymatic Function

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 a-chymotrypsin and inhibit its enzymatic activity competitively.