title: Reprogramming cellular signaling machinery using surface-modified carbon nanotubes.
abstract: Nanoparticles, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), interact with cells and are easily internalized, causing various perturbations to cell functions. The mechanisms involved in such perturbations are investigated by a systematic approach that utilizes modified CNTs and various chemical-biological assays. Three modes of actions are (1) CNTs bind to different cell surface receptors and perturb different cell signaling pathways; (2) CNTs bind to a receptor with different affinity and, therefore, strengthen or weaken signals; (3) CNTs enter cells and bind to soluble signaling proteins involved in a signaling pathway. Understanding of such mechanisms not only clarifies how CNTs cause cytotoxicity but also demonstrates a useful method to modulate biological/toxicological activities of CNTs for their various industrial, biomedical, and consumer applications.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University , Jinan 250100, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Cuijuan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy; D052004:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D020650:Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques; D006801:Humans; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D052004:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors