Organelle-Targeting Gold Nanorods for Macromolecular Profiling of Subcellular Organelles and Enhanced Cancer Cell Killing

Abstract

Subcellular organelles, for example, nucleus, mitochondria, and lysosome, are the vital organelles with responsibilities that maintain cell operation and metabolism. Owing to their roles in energy production and programmed cell death, these organelles have become prime therapeutic targets in different diseases and states. In this study, biocompatible, organelle-targeting nanoprobes were developed by modifying gold nanorods (AuNRs) with specific targeting peptides. These nanoprobes were employed to directly profile subcellular biomolecules and vital organelles by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. Macromolecular spectral profiles of subcellular organelles were achieved and compared. Further, these organelle-targeting AuNRs were used for the photothermal treatment of cancer cells (HepG2, HeLa, and MCF-7 cell lines). The cell viability assays show that the nucleus- and mitochondria-targeting AuNRs provide higher photothermal efficiencies under an 808 nm laser relative to the lysosome-targeting ones. This study makes critical insights into the spectral profiles of subcellular organelles and also inspires people in the development of high-efficacy cancer therapeutic strategies by subcellular organelle-targeting drugs.

In situ and ex situ surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) analysis of cell mitochondria

“…The mitochondrial targeting nanoprobes were obtained by modifying AuNRs with methoxypoly (ethylene glycol)‐thiol (PEG), RGD (CGGGPKKKRKGC), and mitochondrial targeting peptides (MLS, MLALLGWWWFFSRKKC) step by step according to our previously published methods . The successful conjunctions of PEG, RGD, and MLS were evaluated by ultraviolet‐visible (Uv‐vis) spectroscopy (Ocean Optics, USB4000) and the zeta potential (Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS).…”

“…Therefore, this method can simplify research objectives and is possible to monitor dynamic changes during various biological progress and stimulation . As for the in situ intracellular SERS detections, it can be realized by delivering the SERS‐active substances like gold or silver nanoparticles to living cells via endocytosis and mechanical force, which can be widely applied for many in situ investigations, especially for the molecular information in subcellular organelles and their dynamic changes in biological processes . Compared with ex situ detection, the greatest advantage of this method is that it does not require extraction steps and can completely retain intracellular molecule information.…”

Photocatalytically Powered Matchlike Nanomotor for Light‐Guided Active SERS Sensing

“…After using UV light to induce the formation of aggregates of the nanomotors,w emanaged to capture clear biological Raman signals of the cancer cells ( Figure 4G)w ith the Raman signal enhanced by about 3 times ( Figure 4H). [23] In addition to the aggregate formation at the target cell location, self-propulsion induced close contact between the analytes surface and SERS probes and should also contribute to the signal enhancement. And the peak for CÀSs tretching in cysteine and leucine can be identified at 660 cm À1 and 711 cm À1 ,r espectively.…”

“…And the peak for CÀSs tretching in cysteine and leucine can be identified at 660 cm À1 and 711 cm À1 ,r espectively. [23] In addition to the aggregate formation at the target cell location, self-propulsion induced close contact between the analytes surface and SERS probes and should also contribute to the signal enhancement.…”

6‐Triphenylphosphinehexanoic Acid Conjugated Near‐Infrared Persistent Luminescence Nanoprobe for Autofluorescence‐Free Targeted Imaging of Mitochondria in Cancer Cells

“…In most eukaryotic cells, subcellular organelle plays a critical role in various cell physiological and pathological processes, such as cell proliferation, protein synthesis, organism metabolism and cell apoptosis . As one of the vital organelles, mitochondria act as the energy provider for cells .…”