Comprehensive studies on the nature of interaction between catalase and SiO 2 nanoparticle

Abstract The effect of SiO 2 nanoparticle on the conformation and activity of catalase were studied and observed by UV–vis, circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular modeling methods. All the experimental data showed that the spectral changes of catalase were induced by SiO 2 nanoparticle exposure. SiO 2 nanoparticle could bind to catalase by electrostatic, hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic forces. These interactions decreased the α-helices content of catalase, which had more unfolded and more flexible structure. These structural changes did not obviously affect the solvent polarity of environment around both Trp and Tyr residues on catalase. Moreover, the activity assay indicated that SiO 2 nanoparticle was an activator for catalase activity. In a word, the biomolecular structure changes revealed by spectra provided a better understanding of the nanotoxicity and potential health effects of SiO 2 NP exposure.