Study on the intracellular fate of Tat peptide-conjugated quantum dots by spectroscopic investigation.
The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of water-soluble thiol-capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) conjugated with Tat peptide in solution showed a remarkable redshift as compared to that of unconjugated QDs. After cellular uptake of the Tat-QDs conjugates, the micro-PL spectrum of Tat-QDs in lysosomes showed a spectral blueshift, which was most probably due to the fact that Tat peptide was digested by the enzymes, leaving the Tat-detached QDs in lysosomes. The reasons for the spectral changes have been discussed in detail.
Xiong
Rongling
R
Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Li
Zheng
Z
Mi
Lan
L
Wang
Pei-Nan
PN
Chen
Ji-Yao
JY
Wang
Lixin
L
Yang
Wu-Li
WL
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015696:Gene Products, tat / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000737:chemistry*; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000737:chemistry; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D045663:Quantum Dots; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D015696:Gene Products, tat; D010455:Peptides; D014867:Water