Construction of Enzyme-Cofactor/Mediator Conjugates for Enhanced in Vitro Bioelectricity Generation.

Cofactor-dependent oxidoreduction and electron transfer play an important role in in vitro bioelectricity generation and many other enzyme biocatalysis reactions. To facilitate such electron generation and transfer, several approaches based on the coimmobilization of cofactors and oxidoreductases have been demonstrated. Herein, a convenient and immobilization-free approach of constructing enzyme-cofactor and enzyme-mediator conjugates was developed. The in vitro bioelectricity generation reactions via enzymatic fuel cells were evaluated. The cells equipped by the conjugates exhibited significantly improved power output and stability in contrast to those mediated by unconjugated enzymes. These results may bring a new avenue in constructing efficient in vitro electron transfer chains for various biocatalysis applications.