Quantum dot-loaded monofunctionalized DNA icosahedra for single-particle tracking of endocytic pathways

Abstract

Functionalization of quantum dots (QDs) with a single biomolecular tag using traditional approaches in bulk solution has met with limited success. DNA polyhedra consist of an internal void bounded by a well-defined three-dimensional structured surface. The void can house cargo and the surface can be functionalized with stoichiometric and spatial precision. Here, we show that monofunctionalized QDs can be achieved by encapsulating QDs inside DNA icosahedra and functionalizing the DNA shell with an endocytic ligand. We deployed the DNA-encapsulated QDs for real time imaging of three different endocytic ligands - folic acid, galectin-3 (Gal3) and the Shiga toxin B-subunit (STxB). Single particle tracking of Gal3 or STxB-functionalized, QD-loaded DNA icosahedra allows us to monitor compartmental dynamics along endocytic pathways. These DNA-encapsulated QDs that bear a unique stoichiometry of endocytic ligands represent a new class of molecular probes for quantitative imaging of endocytic receptor dynamics.

Molybdenum disulfide/graphene oxide nanocomposites show favorable lung targeting and enhanced drug loading/tumor-killing efficacy with improved biocompatibility

“…Lys and FA are two main types of small molecules with excellent biocompatibility and are often used to modify nanomaterials. 40,41 To this end, apart from bulk MoS 2 , simply functionalized MoS 2 materials including Lys-and FA-modified MoS 2 were also synthesized using the same batch of bulk MoS 2 materials as additional controls alongside MoS 2 /GO nanocomposites. Meanwhile, the same batch of GO sheets used for MoS 2 hybrid was also used here for comparison.…”

Molecular Imaging with 68Ga Radio-Nanomaterials: Shedding Light on Nanoparticles

“…QDs possess unique size-dependent photo luminescent properties due to the quantum confinement effect [124][125][126]. They produce bright emissions spanning the visible and infrared spectrum when excited by high-energy photons.…”

Chemical control over membrane-initiated steroid signaling with a DNA nanocapsule

“…Simulations and experiments have indicated that the DNA icosahedron has an effective in-circle diameter of ∼2.8 nm at its triangular face (13,15). This implies that small thiols with diameter ∼1 nm can rapidly permeate the DNA icosahedron and initiate thiol-disulfide exchange to release 4-MU.…”

“…DNA polyhedra have controllable dimensions and are addressable with single-nucleotide precision, with the Turberfield tetrahedron (12) and a DNA icosahedron being the most widely used for biological applications (13,14). Particularly, the DNA icosahedron has been used to encapsulate diverse cargo such as gold nanoparticles, fluorescent polymers (15,16), and quantum dots for bioimaging (13).…”