Protease-sensitive fluorescent nanofibers

Bioconjug Chem. 2007 Nov-Dec;18(6):1701-4. doi: 10.1021/bc070054z. Epub 2007 Oct 5.

Abstract

We report the design and synthesis of enzyme-responsive nanofibers. The fibers are composed of self-assembled hydrophobic beta-sheet peptides incorporating protease-sensitive domains, fluorescent reporters, and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) units. Using urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) as a model system, nanofibers were developed to release fluorescent fragments upon uPA incubation. These protease-sensitive nanofibers may have considerable biomedical applications as diagnostic sensors or for protease-assisted drug deliveries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Fluorescence
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / metabolism*

Substances

  • Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator