Reversible “Irreversible” Inhibition of Chymotrypsin Using Nanoparticle Receptors

Anionically functionalized amphiphilic nanoparticles efficiently inhibit chymotrypsin through electrostatic binding followed by protein denaturation. We demonstrate the ability to disrupt this "irreversible" inhibition of chymotrypsin through modification of the nanoparticle surface using cationic surfactants. Up to 50% of original chymotrypsin activity is rescued upon long-chain surfactant addition. Dynamic light-scattering studies demonstrate that chymotrypsin is released from the nanoparticle surface. The conformation of the rescued chymotrypsin was characterized by fluorescence and fluorescence anisotropy, indicating that chymotrypsin regains a high degree of native structure upon surfactant addition.