Direct conjugation of semiconductor nanocrystals to a globular protein to study protein-folding intermediates

J Phys Chem B. 2007 Oct 25;111(42):12294-8. doi: 10.1021/jp075239h. Epub 2007 Oct 5.

Abstract

In this Article, we study the development of semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots of average diameter less than 2 nm) directly conjugated to a transporter protein human serum albumin (HSA) as fluorescent biological labels. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the amino acid tryptophan (Trp214) to quantum dot in HSA is monitored to follow the local and global changes in the protein structure during thermal unfolding and refolding processes. This study is likely to attract widespread attention as a powerful tool for the study of protein folding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cadmium Compounds / chemistry
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • Humans
  • Protein Folding*
  • Quantum Dots*
  • Serum Albumin / biosynthesis
  • Serum Albumin / chemistry*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Sulfides / chemistry

Substances

  • Cadmium Compounds
  • Serum Albumin
  • Sulfides
  • cadmium sulfide