Probing lectin and sperm with carbohydrate-modified quantum dots.
We report the encapsulation of quantum dots with biologically important beta-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) in different ratios, together with studies of their specific/sensitive multivalent interactions with lectins and sperm by fluorimetry, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering microscopy, confocal imaging techniques, and flow cytometry. These GlcNAc-encapsulated quantum dots (QDGLNs) specifically bind to wheat germ agglutinin, and cause fluorescence quenching and aggregation. Further studies of QDGLNs and the mannose-encapsulated QDs (QDMANs) with sperm revealed site-specific interactions, in which QDGLNs bind to the head of the sperm, while QDMANs spread over the whole sperm body.
Robinson
Anandakathir
A
Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106, Taiwan.
Fang
Jim-Min
JM
Chou
Pi-Tai
PT
Liao
Kuang-Wen
KW
Chu
Rea-Min
RM
Lee
Shyh-Jye
SJ
D000117:Acetylglucosamine / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005470:Fluorometry; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D045663:Quantum Dots; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013077:Sperm Head / Q000737:chemistry; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry*; D013552:Swine; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins / Q000737:chemistry*
D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; D000117:Acetylglucosamine