title: Fluorescence-tunable Ag-DNA biosensor with tailored cytotoxicity for live-cell applications.
abstract: DNA-stabilized silver clusters (Ag-DNA) show excellent promise as a multi-functional nanoagent for molecular investigations in living cells. The unique properties of these fluorescent nanomaterials allow for intracellular optical sensors with tunable cytotoxicity based on simple modifications of the DNA sequences. Three Ag-DNA nanoagent designs are investigated, exhibiting optical responses to the intracellular environments and sensing-capability of ions, functional inside living cells. Their sequence-dependent fluorescence responses inside living cells include (1) a strong splitting of the fluorescence peak for a DNA hairpin construct, (2) an excitation and emission shift of up to 120 nm for a single-stranded DNA construct, and (3) a sequence robust in fluorescence properties. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of these Ag-DNA constructs is tunable, ranging from highly cytotoxic to biocompatible Ag-DNA, independent of their optical sensing capability. Thus, Ag-DNA represents a versatile live-cell nanoagent addressable towards anti-cancer, patient-specific and anti-bacterial applications.
authors.affiliation: Leiden Institute of Physics, LION, Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Nelli
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bossert
authors.affiliation: Leiden Institute of Physics, LION, Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Donny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Bruin
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer-Institut for Silicate Research ISC, Würzburg, Germany.|Fakultaet fuer Chemie und Pharmazie, Julius-Maximilians-Universitaet Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Götz
authors.affiliation: Leiden Institute of Physics, LION, Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, The Netherlands.|Physics Department and California Nanosystems Institute UCSB, Santa Barbara, USA.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bouwmeester
authors.affiliation: Leiden Institute of Physics, LION, Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, Leiden University, The Netherlands.|Fraunhofer-Institut for Silicate Research ISC, Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heinrich
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000235:genetics; D004023:Dictyostelium / Q000187:drug effects; D005453:Fluorescence; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012834:Silver / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012834:Silver