Intracellular enzymatic formation of nanofibers results in hydrogelation and regulated cell death

A study was conducted to demonstrate intercellular enzymatic formation of artificial nanofibers in cells, affecting their behavior. It was found that when enzymatic catalysis couples with the formation of hydrogelators, kinetic formation of intercellular nanofibers was specific to different types of cells. It was also observed that the formation of intercellular nanofibers resulted in the hydrogelation and contributed to the death of cells. It was also found that intercellular artificial nanofibers can be formed from different methodologies, including building blocks self-assembly process, an endogenous cellular process, and enzyme-based processes. The precursor used in the study to demonstrate the formation of nanofibers was also tested in a series of concentrations, to examine its effective concentration that caused cell death.