title: Self-assembly triggered by self-assembly: optically active, paramagnetic micelles encapsulated in protein cage nanoparticles.
abstract: In this contribution, optically active and paramagnetic micelles of the ligand 1,4,7,10-tetraaza-1-(1-carboxymethylundecane)-4,7,10-triacetic acid cyclododecane (DOTAC10) have been incorporated inside capsids of the cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) protein through a hierarchical process of self-assembly triggered by self-assembly. The DOTAC10 ligand was used to complex Gd(III), in order to form paramagnetic micelles, as well as to encapsulate an amphiphilic Zn(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc) dye that optically confirmed the encapsulation of the micelles. The incorporation of ZnPc molecules in the paramagnetic micelles led to high capsid loading of both Gd(III) and ZnPc, as the micelles were stabilized by the amphiphilic dye encapsulation. The resulting protein cage nanoparticles (PCNs) show an improved r1 relaxivity, suggesting the possible use of these nanostructures as contrast agents (CAs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Since the encapsulated ZnPc dye also has a potential therapeutic value, the present results represent a first step towards the consecution of fully self-assembled PCNs for multimodal imaging and therapy.
authors: Biomolecular Nanotechnology Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Postbus 217, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors: Jealemy Galindo
authors: JG
authors: Millán
authors: Biomolecular Nanotechnology Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Postbus 217, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Brasch
authors: Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IMDEA Nanociencia (TT), Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
authors: Eduardo
authors: E
authors: Anaya-Plaza
authors: Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IMDEA Nanociencia (TT), Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
authors: Andrés
authors: A
authors: de la Escosura
authors: Biodevice Nanotechnology Group, Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, Postbus 8038, 6700 EK Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Aldrik H
authors: AH
authors: Velders
authors: Biomolecular Nanotechnology Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Postbus 217, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors: David N
authors: DN
authors: Reinhoudt
authors: Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IMDEA Nanociencia (TT), Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: tomas.torres@uam.es.
authors: Tomás
authors: T
authors: Torres
authors: Biomolecular Nanotechnology Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Postbus 217, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors: Melissa S T
authors: MS
authors: Koay
authors: Biomolecular Nanotechnology Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Postbus 217, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands. Electronic address: j.j.l.m.cornelissen@utwente.nl.
authors: Jeroen J L M
authors: JJ
authors: Cornelissen
mesh_terms: D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017798:Comovirus / Q000737:chemistry; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000737:chemistry; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D007211:Indoles / Q000737:chemistry; D054833:Isoindoles; D008823:Micelles; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D017967:Zinc Compounds
chemical_list: D036022:Capsid Proteins; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D007211:Indoles; D054833:Isoindoles; D008823:Micelles; D053769:Nanocapsules; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C052159:Zn(II)-phthalocyanine; D005682:Gadolinium
keywords: Micelles; Phthalocyanines; Protein cage nanoparticles; Self-assembly