Minimal metallo-nanozymes constructed through amino acid coordinated self-assembly for hydrolase-like catalysis

[Display omitted] •Minimal metallo-nanozymes are constructed through an amino acid coordinated self-assembly strategy.•The biomimetic nanozymes process high and robust activity comparable to that of natural lipase.•The nanozymes are demonstrated to be efficient in converting a prodrug through the hydrolyzation. Bioinspired nanozymes are promising in mimicking natural processes and developing function-enhanced architectures. However, constructing artificial enzyme systems with catalytic efficiencies rivaling that of natural enzymes in a minimal principle is challenging. Herein, we report the construction of minimal metallo-nanozymes through amino acid coordinated self-assembly by using amino acid derivatives and zinc (II) ions as the building blocks, reminiscent of the components of the catalytic architectures in natural hydrolases. The obtained metallo-nanozymes possess high and robust activity comparable to that of natural lipase in catalytically hydrolyzing phenyl acetate. In addition, catalytic performance of the metallo-nanozymes can be facilely optimized by changing the ratio between the building blocks and the introduction of additional biomolecules. The metallo-nanozymes also show catalytic activity in producing acetylsalicylic acid through the hydrolyzation of a prodrug, benorilate. This work highlights the minimal principle and excellent catalytic performance of stable metallo-nanozymes, opening up immense opportunities in the development of highly efficient nanozymes and catalytic prodrug conversion.