Z/Ce@hemin enzymes with enhanced peroxidase activity for monitoring and screening the oxidative stress models of Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Inspired by natural enzymes, artificial enzymes have garnered significant interest due to their simplicity of production, robustness under harsh conditions, and enhanced stability. This study introduces, for the first time, a novel Z/Ce@hemin composite enzyme, constructed by anchoring hemin onto zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)-encapsulated ceria (CeO₂) nanoparticles. This innovative design overcomes the challenges of hemin dimerization, enhances substrate affinity, and accelerates mass transport, leading to significantly improved peroxidase-like activity. The enzyme also demonstrates remarkable stability and resistance to environmental interference. Utilizing this Z/Ce@hemin composite, a sensitive and selective colorimetric detection system was developed for rapid and accurate quantification of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), a key oxidative stress marker. This approach was successfully applied in cellular models and Caenorhabditis elegans models of Parkinson’s disease, enabling precise monitoring of H₂O₂. The study provides a groundbreaking platform for oxidative stress modeling and expands possibilities in neurodegenerative disease research and therapeutic screening.