Tat peptide as an efficient molecule to translocate gold nanoparticles into the cell nucleus.
The labeling of targeting molecules with nanoparticles has revolutionized the visualization of cellular or tissue components by electron microscopy. A particularly desirable target is the nucleus, because the genetic information is there. To date, utilizing nanoparticles for nuclear targeting has not proved very successful due to the impermeable nature of the plasma and nuclear membranes; thus nanoparticle design and synthesis is a critical factor. We report in this article the synthesis of water-soluble gold nanoparticles functionalized with a Tat protein-derived peptide sequence by a straightforward and economical methodology. The particles were subsequently tested in vitro with a human fibroblast cell line by optical and transmission electron microscopy to determine the biocompatibility of these nanoparticles and whether the functionalization with the translocation peptide allowed particles to transfer across the cell membrane and locate in the nucleus.
de la Fuente
Jesus M
JM
Centre for Cell Engineering, Institute of Biomedical and Life Science, Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK. lafuente@iiq.csic.es
Berry
Catherine C
CC
D001692:Biological Transport; D002460:Cell Line; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D015696:Gene Products, tat / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006046:Gold / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D015394:Molecular Structure; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000032:analysis*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008625:Tiopronin / Q000737:chemistry
D015696:Gene Products, tat; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D006046:Gold; D008625:Tiopronin