Rational Design of Functional Peptide–Gold Hybrid Nanomaterials for Molecular Interactions

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been extensively used for decades in biosensing‐related development due to outstanding optical properties. Peptides, as newly realized functional biomolecules, are promising candidates of replacing antibodies, receptors, and substrates for specific molecular interactions. Both peptides and AuNPs are robust and easily synthesized at relatively low cost. Hence, peptide–AuNP‐based bio‐nano‐technological approaches have drawn increasing interest, especially in the field of molecular targeting, cell imaging, drug delivery, and therapy. Many excellent works in these areas have been reported: demonstrating novel ideas, exploring new targets, and facilitating advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. Importantly, some of them also have been employed to address real practical problems, especially in remote and less privileged areas. This contribution focuses on the application of peptide–gold hybrid nanomaterials for various molecular interactions, especially in biosensing/diagnostics and cell targeting/imaging, as well as for the development of highly active antimicrobial/antifouling coating strategies. Rationally designed peptide–gold nanomaterials with functional properties are discussed along with future challenges and opportunities.

Hydrophobized Short Peptide Amphiphile Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles as Antibacterial Biomaterials

“…[21][22][23][24][25] Nanoparticles of novel metals such as gold and silver are consistently becoming interested choice for material scientists due to their unique optoelectronic properties. [26] Owing to the high affinity with organic compounds and good electrical conductivity, AuNPs are synthesized using many organic molecules such as carboxylic acids, amines, peptides/proteins and thiol compounds to name a few. [26][27][28][29] On the offset, peptides and proteins are multifunctional reagents and exhibit dual nature in AuNPs synthesis, i. e. reducing as well as stabling agents.…”

The Peptide Functionalized Inorganic Nanoparticles for Cancer-Related Bioanalytical and Biomedical Applications

“…Diagnostic and therapeutic agents play critical roles in the combat against this malignant disease. Because of their unique physicochemical properties such as large specific surface area, easy functionalization, and excellent optical, electrical, and magnetic properties, a variety of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively studied for early detection and treatment of cancers since 1996 [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. For instance, due to their morphology (size, shape, and structure)-dependent localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), colloidal gold NPs (AuNPs) have been employed for the development of simple colorimetric sensing systems for sensitive detection of various cancer-related biomarkers and carcinogens [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 29 ].…”

“…Owing to their facile surface chemistry, the accumulation amounts of NPs in tumor site can be further increased through functionalization of NPs with various molecules, which normally enable to specifically recognize the tumor cells and/or tumor neovasculature by ligand-receptor interactions [ 5 , 6 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 33 ]. Among of these ligands, peptides with short amino acid sequences have attracted great attention because they have many important physiological functionalities and control nearly all vital functions in humans, including participation in signaling pathways as enzyme substrates, activation of immune defense as antigens, and effect on cellular membrane/organelle membrane functionality as drug carriers or lytic agents [ 10 , 12 , 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Especially, several peptides have been approved as drugs and an increasing number of peptides are entering clinical trials [ 35 , 36 ].…”

“…As an interactive nanobiotechnological scaffold, peptide functionalized NPs have thoroughly discussed in several reviews, which are categorized either by their components and/or their applications [ 10 , 12 , 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 33 , 34 ]. However, most of these reviews only described functionalization and application of a single type of NPs.…”

“…However, most of these reviews only described functionalization and application of a single type of NPs. For instance, the preparation and applications (biosensing, diagnosis, and therapy) of peptide modified AuNPs have been summarized in the reviews [ 10 , 17 , 20 ]. Spicer and colleagues provided a comprehensive overview of the peptide- and protein-functionalized nano-drug delivery vehicles, imaging species, and active therapeutics [ 14 ].…”