Functional Gold Nanoparticle−Peptide Complexes as Cell-Targeting Agents

Abstract

In this paper, we report a novel approach using peptide CALNN and its derivative CALNNGGRRRRRRRR (CALNNR(8)) to functionalize gold nanoparticles for intracellular component targeting. The translocation is effected by the nanoparticle diameter and CALNNR(8) surface coverage. The intracellular distributions of the complexes are change from the cellular nucleus to the endoplasmic reticulum by increasing the density of CALNNR(8) at a constant nanoparticle diameter. Additionally, increasing the nanoparticle diameter at a constant density of CALNNR(8) leads to less cellular internalization. These translocations of the complexes cause unique colorimetric expressions of the cell structure. The cell viability is affected by the internalized gold nanoparticle-peptide complexes in terms of quantities of particles per cell. In addition, the intracellular distribution of the fluorescence quenching is investigated by a fluorescent confocal scanning laser microscopy, which also gives further evidence of intracellular distribution of the gold nanoparticle-peptide complexes.

Quantum dots: a powerful tool for understanding the intricacies of nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery

“…Indeed, cellular delivery of transferrin and TAT-peptide functionalized gold nanoparticles resulted in similar enhanced cellular uptake, confirming this supposition [53,54].…”

Enhanced intracellular translocation and biodistribution of gold nanoparticles functionalized with a cell-penetrating peptide (VG-21) from vesicular stomatitis virus

“…Thus, VG-21 makes our fGNPs minimal to non-cytotoxic to the cell lines tested, making them suitable as delivery vehicles for both in vitro and in vivo studies. Furthermore, the nanoparticle diameter and surface coverage of the peptide affects both the internalization of nanoparticles and sub-cellular target (nucleus or cytoplasm) [19].…”

“…As the size of GNPs and the length of CPP are inversely related to the extent of stability of GNPs [19], we selected 13 nm (±2 nm diameter) carboxylated GNPs and 21 amino acid peptide for this study. GNPs were functionalized with VG-21 using EDC with a molar excess of VG-21 to quench free carboxyl groups of GNPs.…”

“…The most commonly used CPP is the commercially available HIV TAT (protein trans-activator of transcription) peptide [6,15] for delivery of macromolecules and/or drugs into the nucleus or cytoplasm. Other CPPs employed for enhanced delivery purposes are human surfactant protein B (a lung surfactant), orexin (a neuropeptide hormone) and lactoferricin (a globular glycoprotein) [16], a secondary amphipathic CPP (named CADY) [17], malittin derived peptide [4], Rev peptide (from HIV-1 regulatory protein) [18], CALNNR 8 [19] and GC rich peptide with RGD [20] and flock house virus derived CPP [21].…”

On Biodecorated Gold Nanoparticles Distributed within Tissues and Cells

“…Herein, an increase in the peptide molecules (ligand density) from 30 to 150 molecules per 5-nm gold nanoparticle decreased the cell survival rate from 98 to 66% [20]. The 13-, 30-and 60-nm AuNPs covered with CALNN peptides showed a similar behavior [21]. The survivability of HeLa cells (according to trypan blue test) at AuNP concentrations of 0.02-0.08 nM was 80-95% and decreased to 60% at a AuNP concentration of 0.16 nM and to less than 10% at 0.32 nM.…”