Gold nanoparticle aggregation enables colorimetric sensing assays for enzymatic decarboxylation

Abstract

Monitoring enzymatic processes is of fundamental importance for the understanding of the associated biological phenomena. In this work, we show that amino acid decarboxylase activity can be readily monitored by a colorimetric assay with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which undergo selective product-induced aggregation. Once the carboxylate group is eliminated, the resulting diamine products trigger AuNP aggregation, leading to a significant color change. Furthermore, this new method provides a rapid way for potential inhibitor screening.