Detection of tyrosine catalyzed by a Tb-MOF luminescent nanozyme

A luminescent nanozyme was designed and synthesized for the enzymatic luminescence assay of tyrosine. This luminescent nanozyme is composed of luminescent Tb3+, catalytic Fe3O4 nanoparticle and antenna ligand 4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid (IDA) through flexible MOF (metal-organic framework) structure, and has dual functions of luminescence-sensing and catalysis like peroxidase. The catalytic reaction-triggered-luminescence of Tb3+ ion is able to sense pM level of tyrosine in human serum. Such a luminescent nanozyme can be used to replace the combination of natural enzymes and chromogenic agents currently widely used in enzyme-based assays, providing a promising prospect for innovating various enzyme-based assays.