title: Protease-modulated cellular uptake of quantum dots.
abstract: Quantum dots (QDs) are often cell-impermeable and require transporters to facilitate crossing over cell membranes. Here we present a simple and versatile method that utilizes enzymes, matrix metalloprotease 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-7, to modulate the cellular uptake of QDs. QD-peptide conjugates could be efficiently taken up into cells after the MMP treatment. This enzyme-modulated cellular uptake of QDs may be applied to other nanoparticles for biological imaging and selective drug delivery into tumor cells.
authors.affiliation: Biophysics, Cancer Biology, and Molecular Imaging Programs, Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1201 Welch Road, Stanford, California 94305-5484, USA.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Min Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: Jianghong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques; D045663:Quantum Dots
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2