UBC Okanagan Reveals Quantum Effect Stabilizes Radical Enzymes for Safer Drugs

Research conducted by scientists at UBC Okanagan, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, demonstrates significant quantum Coulombic interactions within the viperin enzyme, a biocatalyst involved in the body’s immune response. The study revealed these electrostatic forces stabilise highly reactive free radicals, enabling viperin to perform its function without causing cellular damage. Researchers utilised computer modelling to discover this previously overlooked mechanism, suggesting the effect may be widespread across other radical enzymes and potentially informing the design of more effective drugs, enzymes and catalysts.

Radical Enzymes and Quantum Control

The research focused on viperin, a radical enzyme involved in the body’s immune response, which both generates and controls highly reactive radicals during biochemical reactions. While the function of radicals within viperin was previously established, the extent of quantum mechanical effects governing their control was unexpected, according to the study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Doctoral student Hossein Khalilian’s computer modelling revealed that viperin employs a range of strategies, including quantum Coulombic interactions, to regulate these radicals.

The Coulombic interaction, an electrostatic force between positive and negative charges, manifests in a quantum form that appears to be a key strategy for radical enzyme control. Simulations demonstrated that the radical was held in place by these Coulombic interactions, allowing it to perform only the desired reaction, despite the typically high reactivity and mobility of such molecules. This stabilisation enabled the enzyme to fulfil its function, representing the first demonstration of such significant quantum interactions within an enzyme.

This discovery suggests that the quantum Coulombic effect is likely a widespread, yet previously underestimated, feature of radical enzymes, prompting further investigation into its prevalence. Principal investigator Dr. Gino DiLabio indicated that ongoing studies are exploring whether this effect extends to other radical enzymes, potentially reshaping the understanding of catalysis and advancing biotechnology. A deeper understanding of how nature controls radical reactions could lead to the design of more effective and safer drugs, enzymes and catalysts, given that many contemporary medicines rely on reactions involving radicals.

Unveiling Quantum Coulombic Interactions

The research indicates that free radicals, while often associated with detrimental effects such as cancer and autoimmune diseases, are also integral to numerous biological functions and are naturally produced within the body. The study concentrated on viperin, an enzyme involved in the body’s immune response, which generates and controls these highly reactive radicals, revealing the extent of quantum mechanical effects in maintaining control of them was unexpected. Through computer modelling, researchers discovered that viperin employs a range of strategies, including quantum Coulombic interactions, to regulate these radicals, demonstrating a previously overlooked mechanism.

The Coulombic interaction, described as an electrostatic force between positive and negative charges analogous to static electricity, manifests in a quantum form that appears to be a key strategy in radical enzymes for controlling free radicals. Simulations revealed that the radical was gently held in place by these Coulombic interactions, enabling it to perform only the desired reaction, despite the typically high reactivity and mobility of such molecules. This discovery represents the first demonstration of such significant quantum interactions within an enzyme, offering a novel perspective on biochemical reactions.

Dr. DiLabio notes that ongoing studies are investigating whether this effect extends to other radical enzymes, potentially reshaping the understanding of catalysis and advancing biotechnology. Given that many contemporary medicines rely on reactions involving radicals, a deeper understanding of how nature controls these reactions could lead to the design of more effective and safer drugs, enzymes and catalysts, representing a potential application of this research into radical enzyme control.

Implications for Medicine and Biotechnology

Many contemporary medicines rely on reactions involving radicals, and a deeper understanding of how nature controls these reactions could lead to the design of more effective and safer drugs, enzymes and catalysts. This research suggests that the quantum Coulombic effect is likely a widespread, yet previously underestimated, feature of radical enzymes, prompting further investigation into its prevalence. Dr. DiLabio notes that ongoing studies are investigating whether this effect extends to other radical enzymes, potentially reshaping the understanding of catalysis and advancing biotechnology.