Synthetic Enzymes

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Synthetic enzymes—engineered catalytic systems that replicate or surpass the performance of natural enzymes—have rapidly become indispensable tools in chemical biology, biotechnology, biocatalysis, diagnostics, and therapeutic research. Creative Enzymes offers a fully integrated Synthetic Enzymes Services platform that encompasses rational design, modular engineering, chemical synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation for both synzymes (synthetic enzyme mimics) and abzymes (catalytic antibodies).

Supported by multidisciplinary scientific expertise, advanced modeling capabilities, and state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure, we deliver customized synthetic enzymes tailored to your specific reaction, biological target, or application. From early-stage conceptualization to production-scale preparation and functional validation, our service platform provides reliable, high-performance catalytic materials for academic, industrial, and translational research.

What Are Synthetic Enzymes

The growing need for sustainable catalysis, precise molecular recognition, and high-throughput biochemical tools has catalyzed interest in artificial enzymes. While natural enzymes remain exemplary models of catalytic proficiency, their use can be constrained by cost, stability limitations, substrate specificity, environmental sensitivity, or the impossibility of performing unnatural reactions. Synthetic enzymes present a transformative solution by offering:

Tunable catalytic activity and substrate specificity
Enhanced thermal, chemical, and pH stability
Compatibility with nonphysiological media
Potential to catalyze reactions not accessible to natural enzymes
High modularity for design and optimization

Crystal structure of LmrR: an artificial heme enzyme for cyclopropanation reactions Figure 1. LmrR–an artificial heme enzyme for cyclopropanation reactions.

Two major classes of synthetic enzymes dominate contemporary research:

Synzymes (Synthetic Enzyme Mimics)

Synzymes rely on sophisticated molecular scaffolds that replicate enzyme active site architecture. Drawing from biomimetics, supramolecular chemistry, transition-state design, and mechanistic modeling, synzymes can emulate the catalytic strategies of natural enzymes or implement novel mechanisms.

Abzymes (Catalytic Antibodies)

Abzymes are produced by immunizing a host with a carefully crafted transition-state analog (TSA) that mimics the high-energy intermediate of a reaction. The resulting antibodies bind the transition state with exceptional affinity, thereby catalyzing the corresponding reaction. Abzymes combine the precision of immunochemistry with the catalytic logic of enzymology, enabling diverse biocatalytic and diagnostic applications.

Creative Enzymes has developed an advanced Synthetic Enzymes Service platform that supports both fields, providing end-to-end solutions for the design, synthesis, optimization, and evaluation of artificial catalytic systems.

What We Offer: Comprehensive Synthetic Enzymes Solutions

Our platform provides holistic support across the entire life cycle of synthetic enzyme development, including:

Catalytic concept development and feasibility assessment
Molecular modeling, mechanistic analysis, and simulation-based optimization
Design and synthesis of customized functional groups, scaffolds, or TSAs
Production, purification, and structural verification
In vitro and in vivo catalytic performance evaluation
Application-oriented optimization and scale-up assistance

To support the diversity of synthetic enzyme strategies, the following specialized service clusters are integrated into our offering:

Services		Price
Synzymes (Synthetic Enzyme Mimics) Services	Synzyme Design Services Active site modeling, catalytic pathway design, scaffold engineering, and rational functional group placement.	Get a quote
	Chemical Synthesis and Production of Synzymes Custom molecular construction, supramolecular assembly, polymer-based or small-molecule catalyst synthesis, and purification.
	In Vitro and In Vivo Activity Evaluation of Synzymes Kinetic characterization, substrate profiling, functional stability testing, and preliminary biological assessment.
Abzymes (Catalytic Antibodies) Services	Design of Transition-State Analogs (TSA) Structural and electronic optimization of TS mimics to induce high-affinity catalytic antibodies.	Get a quote
	Chemical Synthesis of Transition-State Analogs (TSA) Synthesis, purification, and validation of TS mimics for immunization or screening.
	Abzyme Production and Purification Services Antibody generation, and affinity screening.
	Catalytic Activity Evaluation of Abzymes Catalytic assessment, and mechanistic studies.

Service Workflow

Workflow of synthetic enzymes services

Contact Our Team

Why Choose Our Services

Interdisciplinary Expertise

Our scientists combine experience in enzymology, immunochemistry, supramolecular chemistry, computational modeling, and chemical synthesis, ensuring well-rounded project execution.

Customizable, Modular Service Platform

Each project receives a tailored workflow, enabling precise alignment with your catalytic target, reaction environment, or industrial application.

State-of-the-Art Instrumentation

We employ advanced analytical and computational tools that ensure structural accuracy, catalytic efficiency, and reliable validation.

End-to-End Support

From design and synthesis to evaluation and optimization, our platform provides a seamless experience that reduces turnaround time and accelerates discovery.

Proven Expertise in Both Synzymes and Abzymes

Few organizations possess robust capabilities in both synthetic enzyme mimics and catalytic antibodies.

Commitment to Quality and Reproducibility

Our workflows adhere to rigorous quality standards, ensuring reproducible data, traceable processes, and defensible scientific outcomes.

Case Studies in Synthetic Enzymes

Case 1: Cytotoxic ROS-Consuming Mn(III) Synzymes

This study reports two novel Mn(III)-based synzymes, C1 and C2, designed to mimic natural ROS-scavenging enzymes such as superoxide dismutases and catalases. Structural analysis revealed that the aromatic bridge in C2 induces a cis-β configuration at the Mn center, while C1 adopts a trans configuration, leading to distinct redox behaviors. Both synzymes effectively consumed multiple ROS species and catalyzed hydrogen peroxide dismutation. Biological tests showed low toxicity in Galleria mellonella and selective anticancer activity against lung cancer cells, inducing apoptosis through redox-related mechanisms. These findings highlight their therapeutic potential for oxidative stress–related diseases and warrant further mechanistic investigation.

Cytotoxic Ros-consuming Mn(III) synzymes: structural influence on their mechanism of action Figure 2. Synthesis of the Mn(III) complexes. (Verderi et al., 2024)

Case 2: Selection of Catalytic Antibodies Against Organophosphorus Nerve Agents

Immunoglobulins have long been explored as biocompatible tools for neutralizing organophosphorus nerve agents, not only for their ability to bind toxicants but also for their potential to function as catalytic antibodies, or abzymes. This review examines the evolution of strategies used to develop nerve agent-hydrolyzing abzymes, focusing first on hapten design and the use of diverse transition-state analogs to induce catalytic activity. It also discusses alternative approaches involving anti-idiotypic antibodies, which mimic natural phosphorus-processing enzymes, and the emergence of reactibodies, a novel class of abzymes with predetermined catalytic mechanisms.

Strategies for the selection of catalytic antibodies against organophosphorus nerve agents Figure 3. The pre-existing primitive active site of A17 reactibody with acetylcholinesterase-like deep cavity, anion binding site and hydrophobic pocket was shown to bind covalently phosphonate X and hydrolyze paraoxon via covalent catalysis. (Smirnov et al., 2013)

Common Questions About Synthetic Enzymes

Q: What distinguishes synzymes from abzymes?

A: Synzymes are chemically engineered structures—small molecules, supramolecular assemblies, or polymers—designed to mimic enzyme active sites. Abzymes are catalytic antibodies induced by transition-state analog immunogens. Synzymes originate from chemical design, whereas abzymes result from immunological selection.
Q: Can you design synthetic enzymes for reactions not performed by natural enzymes?

A: Yes. One of the strengths of synthetic enzyme technology is the ability to catalyze reactions that have no natural biological counterpart, including certain redox, cyclization, or rearrangement reactions.
Q: How do you ensure catalytic efficiency during design?

A: We integrate computational modeling, transition-state theory, and mechanistic analysis to evaluate reaction feasibility and optimize molecular architecture before synthesis, reducing developmental uncertainty.
Q: What substrates or reaction conditions can you work with?

A: We support a wide range of aqueous, nonaqueous, physiological, and industrial reaction conditions. Custom environments can be specified during project consultation.
Q: Are abzyme development timelines significantly longer than synzyme design?

A: Abzyme generation involves immunization and screening, making timelines inherently longer. However, our optimized protocols and TSA design expertise minimize delays and improve success rates.
Q: Do you provide scale-up services?

A: Yes. We offer small- to medium-scale production for synthetic enzyme mimics and can support larger-scale preparations upon request.
Q: Can activity evaluation be performed using both in vitro and in vivo models?

A: Absolutely. Our evaluation platform includes biochemical assays, kinetic profiling, and cell-based or organism-level testing when appropriate.

References:

Aleku GA, Roberts GW, Titchiner GR, Leys D. Synthetic enzyme‐catalyzed CO₂ fixation reactions. ChemSusChem. 2021;14(8):1781-1804. doi:10.1002/cssc.202100159
Smirnov I, Belogurov A, Friboulet A, Masson P, Gabibov A, Renard PY. Strategies for the selection of catalytic antibodies against organophosphorus nerve agents. Chemico-Biological Interactions. 2013;203(1):196-201. doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2012.10.011
Verderi L, Nova N, Borghesani V, et al. Cytotoxic Ros-consuming Mn(III) synzymes: structural influence on their mechanism of action. IJMS. 2024;26(1):150. doi:10.3390/ijms26010150

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For research and industrial use only. Not intended for personal medicinal use. Certain food-grade products are suitable for formulation development in food and related applications.

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