Intracellular delivery of a membrane-impermeable enzyme in active form using functionalized gold nanoparticles

J Am Chem Soc. 2010 Mar 3;132(8):2642-5. doi: 10.1021/ja907887z.

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles were coated with a short peptide to promote intracellular delivery of membrane-impermeable proteins. Through microscopy and enzyme assays, we demonstrated the particles were able to transport functional enzymes into a variety of cell lines. Significantly, the transported proteins were able to escape from endosomes. Moreover, these particles showed no apparent cytotoxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Death
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • beta-Galactosidase / administration & dosage*
  • beta-Galactosidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Gold
  • beta-Galactosidase