title: Protein--nanoparticle interaction: identification of the ubiquitin--gold nanoparticle interaction site.
abstract: We demonstrate that it is possible to identify the protein--nanoparticle interaction site at amino acid scale in solution. Using NMR, chemical shift perturbation analysis, and dynamic light scattering we have identified a specific domain of human ubiquitin that interacts with gold nanoparticles. This method allows a detailed structural analysis of proteins absorbed onto surfaces of nanoparticles in physiological conditions and it will provide much needed experimental data for better modeling and prediction of protein--nanoparticle interactions.
authors.affiliation: European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, I-21027 Ispra, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Calzolai
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Franchini
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilliland
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D008958:Models, Molecular; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D006046:Gold