Revealing membrane alteration in cellsoverexpressing CA IX and EGFR by Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

Sci Rep. 2019 Feb 12;9(1):1832. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-37997-3.

Abstract

Sensitive detection of altered proteins expression in plasma membranes is of fundamental importance, for both diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) has proven to be a quite sensitive approach to detect proteins, even in very diluted samples. However, proteins detection in complex environment, such as the cellular membrane, is still a challenge. Herein, we demonstrate a SERS-based platform to reveal the overexpression of target proteins in cell membranes. As a proof of concept, we implemented ectopic expression of carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the plasma membrane of the SKOV3 tumor cell line. Our outcomes demonstrate that SERS signals from cells put in contact with a hyperuniform SERS substrate allow highlighting subtle differences in the biochemical composition of cell membranes, normally hidden in spontaneous Raman confocal microscopy. This opens new opportunities for a label-free membrane analysis and bio-sensing in a broader sense.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism*
  • Biosensing Techniques
  • Carbonic Anhydrase IX / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Cell Separation
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • CA9 protein, human
  • Carbonic Anhydrase IX