Rational design of gold nanocarrier for the delivery of JAG-1 peptide

Abstract

BackgroundUnique properties exhibited by nanoparticles makes them great candidates for applications in physics, chemistry, biology, material science and medicine. The biological applications of water-soluble gold nanoparticles range from contrast agents, delivery vehicles to therapeutics. Notch signaling is a complex network that orchestrates cell fate decisions, which involves proliferation, migration, differentiation and cell death in organisms ranging from insects to humans. Studies have showed that a correct orientation of the Jag-1 signalling protein on the substrates proves to be of great importance when promoting Jagged-1 Notch interactions, also the availability of the ligands, super cedes the importance of their concentration.ResultsThe aim of the present study was to synthetize a Jag-1 functionalized nanocarrier, which would promote an efficient interaction between the Jag-1 peptide and the Notch receptor. To this end, two routes for gold nanoparticle-peptide assembly were investigated, and the synthetized bio-nanostructures were characterized and compared by means of UV–Vis, FT-IR, DLS and AFM techniques.ConclusionsWe have obtained a stable, monodisperse, hetero-functionalized GNP-PEG-JAG-1 bio-nanostructure for Notch pathway activation applications.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12951-015-0100-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Intracellular synthesis of gold nanoparticles by Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens for delivery of peptide CopA3 and ginsenoside and anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages

“…The CopA3 is a 9-mer peptide (LLCIALRKK-NH 2 ) derived from coprisin [39]. Its amino acid residues were used to covalent coupling to the carboxylic-group-functionalised GNPs [17]. Yang et al [40] suggested that peptidecapped GNPs achieved more cellular internalisation and prolonged intracellular retention compared with citratecapped GNPs because of their positive surface charges.…”

“…Previous investigations have shown that GNPs are readily bound thiol, amine, and cyanide groups [17]. GNPs have been further functionalised with different complex molecules, including DNA [18], proteins [19], peptides [20], and polymers [21].…”

Biomedical engineering approaches for the delivery of JAGGED1 as a potential tissue regenerative therapy

“…Another method for JAG1 delivery is functionalizing nanocarriers with JAG1. Matea et al (2015) aimed to develop a route to functionalize gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with JAG1 to promote an efficient interaction between JAG1 and the NOTCH receptor. Two routes were developed and the resulting nanostructures were evaluated in terms of functionality and toxicity.…”

Engineering tissue morphogenesis: taking it up a Notch

“…Notch ligands are long polypeptides (>500 amino acids) and are thus difficult to modify or immobilize in an orthogonally well-defined fashion through conventional crosslinking methodologies. Shorter ligand-mimicking peptides, such as a 17-amino acid Jag1 DSL domain fragment , have been tested for covalent conjugation to materials [ 52 , 66 , 67 ]. However, these peptides do not appear to be as potent in inducing Notch as the full-length ligands [ 67 ].…”