title: DNA dissociation and degradation at gold nanoparticle surfaces.
abstract: The instability of DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au-DNA conjugates) upon exposure to high temperatures is characterized using fluorescence spectroscopy, gel electrophoresis and ion-exchange chromatography. Above 70 degrees C, aqueous Au-DNA conjugates decompose within hours due to both desorption of thiol-terminated DNA from the gold nanoparticle surface and chemical degradation of DNA in the presence of colloidal gold. Although the chemical mechanism for DNA degradation was not identified in this study, the gold surface participates directly in the cleavage reaction. These results have important implications for the use of Au-DNA conjugates in biotechnological and clinical applications that require high temperatures, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Aimee R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Herdt
authors.forename: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Drawz
authors.forename: Youngjong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: T Andrew
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Taton
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D017979:Gold Colloid / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D017979:Gold Colloid; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D004247:DNA