title: Facile Attachment of TAT Peptide on Gold Monolayer Protected Clusters: Synthesis and Characterization.
abstract: High affinity thiolate-based polymeric capping ligands are known to impart stability onto nanosized gold nanoparticles. Due to the stable gold-sulfur bond, the ligand forms a protective layer around the gold core and subsequently controls the physicochemical properties of the resultant nanogold mononuclear protected clusters (AuMPCs). The choice of ligands to use as surfactants for AuMPCs largely depends on the desired degree of hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of the MPCs, normally dictated by the intended application. Subsequent surface modification of AuMPCs allows further conjugation of additional biomolecules yielding bilayer or multilayered clusters suitable for bioanalytical applications ranging from targeted drug delivery to diagnostics. In this study, we discuss our recent laboratory findings on a simple route for the introduction of Trans-Activator of Transcription (TAT) peptide onto the surface of biotin-derivatised gold MPCs via the biotin-strepavidin interaction. By changing the surface loading of biotin, controlled amounts of TAT could be attached. This bioconjugate system is very attractive as a carrier in intercellular delivery of various delivery cargoes such as antibodies, proteins and oligonucleotides.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Materials Division, DST/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Mintek, Private Bag X3015, Randburg 2125, South Africa. neerishrev@gmail.com.|Department of Chemistry, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa. neerishrev@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ndabenhle M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Sosibo
authors.affiliation: Advanced Materials Division, DST/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Mintek, Private Bag X3015, Randburg 2125, South Africa. franklinek@mintek.co.za.
authors.forename: Frankline K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Keter
authors.affiliation: Advanced Materials Division, DST/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Mintek, Private Bag X3015, Randburg 2125, South Africa. amandas@mintek.co.za.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skepu
authors.affiliation: Advanced Materials Division, DST/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Mintek, Private Bag X3015, Randburg 2125, South Africa. rtshikhudo@csir.co.za.
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Tshikhudo
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa. revaprasadun@unizulu.ac.za.
authors.forename: Neerish
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Revaprasadu
keywords: MPCs; TAT; biotin; gold; nanoparticles; peptide