A biochemical logic gate using an enzyme and its inhibitor. 1. The inhibitor as switching element.
Molecular-scale logic systems will allow for further miniaturization of information processing assemblies and contribute to a better understanding of brain function. Of much interest are the pertinent biological systems, some of the basic components of which are biomolecular switching elements and enzyme-based logic gates. In this series of accounts, results of investigations are presented on the implementation of an enzyme/inhibitor logic gate operating under the rules of Boolean algebra. In this report (part 1 of the series), consideration is given to the experimental conditions-particularly the irradiation mode-that affect the performance of proflavine as inhibitor of alpha-chymotrypsin. Also, assessments are made on the reversibility of the process involved and the long-term stability of the system. Moreover, using a theoretical conformational analysis of proflavine and its reduction products, detailed features were established regarding their three-dimensional structure, partial charge distribution, and hydrophobicity. Accordingly, an understanding was reached as to the factors affecting the interaction between these compounds and the enzyme. In part 2 of this series, the actual implementation of an AND logic gate will be presented. This gate involves proflavine and a chemically derivatized alpha-chymotrypsin, and its operation relies on the conclusions reached in this report regarding the optimal mode for controlling the inhibitory activity of proflavine.
Sivan
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The Leonard and Diane Sherman Center for Research in Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel.
Lotan
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D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D002417:Cattle; D002918:Chymotrypsin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D008128:Logic; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology; D011370:Proflavine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011487:Protein Conformation
D011370:Proflavine; D002918:Chymotrypsin; C117608:alpha-chymotrypsin