Intercalation of bovine serum albumin coated gold clusters between phospholipid bilayers: temperature-dependent behavior of lipid-AuQC@BSA assemblies with red emission and superlattice structure

J Phys Chem B. 2014 Apr 10;118(14):3887-92. doi: 10.1021/jp4124138. Epub 2014 Mar 31.

Abstract

A method has been developed to encapsulate bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated gold quantum clusters (AuQC@BSA) in a multilamellar system of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC). Results have shown that intercalation of AuQC@BSA particles into lipid bilayers occurs in the presence of CaCl2. Intense red photoluminescence emission was observed after encapsulation of the clusters. A well-defined structure was found with periodic distances drastically larger than that in the pure DPPC/water system. Although Ca(2+) ions can change the dipole characteristics of the lipid bilayer surface, leading to unbinding between the bilayers of multilamellar DPPC/water system, the repulsion is shielded in the presence of AuQC@BSA particles. A coherent superlattice structure evolves due to mixed Ca(2+)-DPPC and Ca(2+)-AuQC@BSA interactions. Studies at different temperatures have suggested a correlation between the luminescence properties of the clusters and phase transition of the lipid layers. The temperature-dependent behavior assumes the connection between the coating and the lipid bilayer surface. Temperature-dependent features of lipid intercalated Au clusters provide new opportunities in their application.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Calcium Chloride / chemistry
  • Cattle
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Intercalating Agents / chemistry*
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Lipid Bilayers / metabolism
  • Phase Transition
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / chemistry*
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / metabolism
  • Temperature
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Intercalating Agents
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Water
  • 1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine
  • Gold
  • Calcium Chloride