Advances in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications of protein-stabilized gold nanoclusters

El‐Sayed, Nesma; Schneider, Marc

doi:10.1039/d0tb01610a

Cited by 30 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 181 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The integration of the advantageous features of metal NCs and the active functional groups of proteins within a single system looks extremely useful for the development of tracking agents. A wide range of proteins have been employed in the synthesis of NC-based bioimaging probes, including hemoglobin, human serum albumin, lactoferrin, and resilin-mimetic proteins [67][68][69][70].…”

Section: Proteinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photoluminescent nanocluster-based probes for bioimaging applications

Bergamaschi

Metrangolo

Dichiarante

2022

Photochem Photobiol Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the continuous search for versatile and better performing probes for optical bioimaging and biosensing applications, many research efforts have focused on the design and optimization of photoluminescent metal nanoclusters. They consist of a metal core composed by a small number of atoms (diameter < 2-3 nm), usually coated by a shell of stabilizing ligands of different nature, and are characterized by molecule-like quantization of electronic states, resulting in discrete and tunable optical transitions in the UV-Vis and NIR spectral regions. Recent advances in their size-selective synthesis and tailored surface functionalization have allowed the effective combination of nanoclusters and biologically relevant molecules into hybrid platforms, that hold a large potential for bioimaging purposes, as well as for the detection and tracking of specific markers of biological processes or diseases. Here, we will present an overview of the latest combined imaging or sensing nanocluster-based systems reported in the literature, classified according to the different families of coating ligands (namely, peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, and biocompatible polymers), highlighting for each of them the possible applications in the biomedical field.

show abstract

Section: Proteinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photoluminescent nanocluster-based probes for bioimaging applications

Bergamaschi

Metrangolo

Dichiarante

2022

Photochem Photobiol Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Bare AuNCs are unstable in solution and need to be protected by ligands (i.e., thiolates, phosphines, or polymers), which in turn strongly affect their properties . Inspired by natural biomineralization processes, proteins can be used as templates for the synthesis and stabilization of AuNCs. , Inside proteins, AuNCs form by a sequential process that is triggered by gold deposition and aggregation into small clusters that act as nucleation centers for AuNCs growth. , …”

Section: Protein–mnp Interfacementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the pioneering work by Xie et al bovine serum albumin (BSA)-AuNCs hybrids were synthesized using a facile one-pot synthesis, under mild reaction conditions. Besides BSA, different proteins, such as human serum albumin, ovalbumin, lysozyme, papain, trypsin, pepsin, transferrin, insulin, keratin, gelatin, aprotinin, apoferritin, immunoglobulin G, glucose oxidase, Y globulin, horseradish peroxidase, urease, fibrinogen, esterase, lactoferrin, zein, and β-lactoglobulin, were used to prepare protein–AuNCs hybrids . Notably, the number of gold atoms in the cluster differs from protein to protein .…”

Section: Protein–mnp Interfacementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The MNPs discussed in this Account (fullerenes, carboranes, gold nanoclusters) are among the most promising theranostic agents for applications in nanomedicine (Table ). ,− ,, Due to their peculiar chemical–physical properties (fullerenes, carboranes, AuNCs) or to the possibility to entrap/bound d-block and f-block elements (metalloendohedral fullerenes and metallocarboranes), these MNPs can be used (i) in the generation of reactive oxygen species upon light and ultrasound irradiation (photodynamic and sonodynamic therapy), ,, (ii) in the conversion of electromagnetic radiation in heat (thermotherapies) following stimulation by light, microwave, radiowave, or magnetic fields stimulation, , (iii) in neutron capture therapy, (iv) in radiotherapy, , or (v) as chemotherapeutic agents. − ,, At the same time MNPs have intrinsic multimodal imaging capabilities because they are fluorescent ,, and are characterized by photoacoustic effects, give a strong Raman signal, , and can be used as contrast agents in X-ray computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and single photon emission computed tomography …”

Section: Proteins As “Trojan Horses”application Of Protein–mnp Hybri...mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Incorporation of Molecular Nanoparticles Inside Proteins: The Trojan Horse Approach in Theranostics

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Metrics & MoreArticle Recommendations CONSPECTUS: Molecular nanoparticles, MNPs, characterized by well-defined chemical formulas, structures, and sizes can interact with a variety of proteins. Fullerenes, carboranes, and gold nanoclusters well represent the diversity of MNPs properties available in nanoscience. They can have diameters smaller than 1.5 nm, be hydrophilic or hydrophobic, and can use a paraphernalia of means to establish local and global interactions with the amino acidic residues of proteins. Proteins, endowed as they are with an assortment of pockets, crevices, and gaps are natural supramolecular hosts to incorporate/hide/transport MNPs directly in water with a facile and "green" approach. This Account identifies and discusses the rules that govern the interactions and binding between MNPs and proteins. Fullerenes are composed solely by carbon atoms arranged to form hollow polyhedra. Hydrophobic interactions occur between aliphatic residues and the fullerene surface. The amino acids most effectively interacting with fullerenes are aromatic residues that establish π−π stacking interactions with the cage. Amphiphilic and charged residues produce also cation−π, anion−π, and surfactant-like interactions with the cages.Carboranes are composed of boron, carbon, and hydrogen atoms, also arranged to form cages. They are hydrophobic with unusual properties originating from the presence of boron atoms. Hydride-like hydrogens bound to the boron atoms govern carborane chemistry. These negatively charged hydrogens do not participate in classic hydrogen bonding with water and promote hydrophobic interactions with proteins. On the contrary, the electronegativity of these hydrogens drives the formation of unconventional dihydrogen bonds with the acidic hydrogen atoms of positively charged amino acid. Carboranes also establish C−H•••π and B−H•••π interactions with aromatic residues. Gold nanoclusters, AuNCs, are synthesizable with atomically precise stoichiometry. Amino acid residues with sulfur atoms or with nitrogen-containing heterocycles are the strongest Au binders. The proteins can act as supramolecular hosts but also as templates for the synthesis of AuNCs directly inside the protein core. Of the pristine amino acids, tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine, and aspartic acid are the most efficient reducing groups. In a peptide sequence, the best Au-reducing moieties are obtained by nitrogencontaining residue such as glutamine, asparagine, arginine, and lysine. The investigation of the interactions between AuNCs and proteins therefore adds further complexity with respect to that of fullerenes and carboranes. The selection of the host proteins should consider that they will have to contain active sites for metal ion accumulation and ion reduction where AuNC can form and stabilize. This Account further discusses the hybridization of MNPs with proteins in view of creating innovative multifunctional theranostic platforms where the role of proteins is akin to that of "Trojan Horses" since they can (i) hide the MNPs,...

show abstract

“…On the other hand, Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) with ultra-small sizes (<3 nm) show excellent fluid solubility and can be used as effective injective drugs ( Li et al, 2021 ). They can pass various barriers in the body ( Xiao et al, 2016 ; Mangalampalli et al, 2017 ; El-Sayed and Schneider, 2020 ; Verma et al, 2021 ), and have a renal clearance rate larger than 75% ( Du et al, 2017 ). They have been used as carriers to deliver some less biocompatible drugs causing insignificant toxicity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Curcumin Conjugated Gold Nanoclusters as Perspective Therapeutics for Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Wei

Zheng³

et al. 2021

Front. Chem.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Accumulation of lipids in the myocardium contributes to the development of cardiac dysfunctions and various chronic diseases, such as diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Curcumin (Cur) can relieve lipid accumulation problems, but its efficiency is limited by poor water solubility and biocompatibility. Herein, gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) were used to improve the efficiency of Cur, and the conjugates Curcumin-AuNCs (AuCur) were developed. In the treatment of high-fat-induced myocardial cell damage, we found that AuCur could effectively reduce intracellular lipid accumulation, the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the increase of mitochondrial division, and the increase of apoptosis compared with Cur. AuCur decreased the expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-α subtype (PPARα), and the therapeutic effect of AuCur was canceled when the expression of PPARα was enhanced. For the above reasons, AuCur treated the toxic effect of high lipid on cardiomyocytes by regulating PPARα, providing a new idea and method for the treatment of DCM.

show abstract

Advances in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications of protein-stabilized gold nanoclusters

Abstract: The interest in using gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) as imaging probes is growing, covering wide ranges of applications. The stabilization of AuNCs with protein ligands enhances their biomedical and pharmaceutical applications....

Cited by 30 publications

References 181 publications

Photoluminescent nanocluster-based probes for bioimaging applications

Photoluminescent nanocluster-based probes for bioimaging applications

Incorporation of Molecular Nanoparticles Inside Proteins: The Trojan Horse Approach in Theranostics

Curcumin Conjugated Gold Nanoclusters as Perspective Therapeutics for Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About