Caspase Sensitive Gold Nanoparticle for Apoptosis Imaging in Live Cells

• DOI: 10.1021/bc1003026
• Publication Date: 2010-10-11T14:40:05Z
• Authors: In-Cheol Sun; Seulki Lee; Heebeom Koo; Ick Chan Kwon; Kuiwon Choi; Cheol-Hee Ahn; Kwangmeyung Kim
• Keywords: Cleavage (geology); Surface Modification

We developed a new apoptosis imaging probe with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). A near-infrared fluorescence dye was attached to AuNP surface through the bridge of peptide substrate (DEVD). The quenched in physiological conditions due quenching effect AuNP, and recovered after DEVD had been cleaved by caspase-3, enzyme involved apoptotic process. adhesion substrates on accomplished conjugation 3,4-dihydroxy phenylalanine (DOPA) groups which are adhesive inorganic rich mussels. This modification DOPA resulted increased stability cytosol condition for hours. Moreover, cleavage dequenching process very fast, cells did not need be fixed imaging. Therefore, real-time monitoring caspase activity could achieved live cells, enabled early detection compared conventional kit such as Annexin V-FITC. our has great potential simple, inexpensive, efficient biomedical applications.