Enzyme mimicry

Enzyme mimicry is a pharmacological and biotechnological concept involving the design and application of synthetic molecules or nanomaterials that replicate the catalytic activity and specificity of natural enzymes (ScienceDirect, 2016). Rather than serving as a traditional therapeutic target (such as a specific receptor or protein to be inhibited), enzyme mimicry refers to a strategy for creating therapeutic agents—including nanozymes, synzymes, and catalytic antibodies (abzymes)—that can supplement or replace endogenous enzymatic processes (PNAS, 1997; ACS Catalysis, 2021). These mimics are primarily engineered to manage oxidative stress by simulating the function of enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase, which are essential for maintaining redox homeostasis (Theranostics, 2024). In the context of cancer therapy, they are utilized to catalyze the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or other cytotoxic molecules directly at tumor sites to induce apoptosis (PMC, 2024). While enzyme mimics offer advantages such as high stability and low production costs, notable challenges include achieving high substrate specificity and ensuring the long-term safety and clearance of synthetic components like metal-based nanoparticles. Clinical examples include SOD mimetics such as Avasopasem manganese, which are being investigated for protecting healthy tissues from radiation-induced oxidative damage (Theranostics, 2024).

Other names

Artificial enzymesNanozymesSynzymesAbzymesBiocatalytic mimicsBiomimetic catalysts

Mimicry of natural enzymatic catalysis to supplement deficient biological pathways or generate therapeutic chemical species.