Single-Chain Nanoparticle Delivers a Partner Enzyme for Concurrent and Tandem Catalysis in Cells.

Combining synthetic chemistry and biocatalysis is a promising but underexplored approach to intracellular catalysis. We report a strategy to codeliver a single-chain nanoparticle (SCNP) catalyst and an exogenous enzyme into cells for performing bioorthogonal reactions. The nanoparticle and enzyme reside in endosomes, creating engineered artificial organelles that manufacture organic compounds intracellularly. This system operates in both concurrent and tandem reaction modes to generate fluorophores or bioactive agents. The combination of SCNP and enzymatic catalysts provides a versatile tool for intracellular organic synthesis with applications in chemical biology.