Analysis of the effects of Gold nanoparticles on the functional integrity of select serum proteins and heat shock proteins of mammalian origin
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Date
2012
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Abstract
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are a natural starting point for understanding nanoparticle-protein interaction due to their possible applications in biomedical functions, such as
disease diagnosis and drug delivery. This has driven interest to understand the effects
of AuNPs on the functional and structural integrity of heat shock proteins (Hsp) and
serum proteins. When AuNPs are used for medical purposes through the intravenous
route, they may be modified by serum proteins and these modifications may give rise to
pathologies, or alter the intended purpose of the nanoparticle. Furthermore, Hsp are
ubiquitous proteins that occur in cells and are upregulated under stress. It is envisaged
that Hsp may also interact with AuNPs delivered to cells and/or the blood circulatory
system. In this study, I sought to analyse the interaction between AuNPs and bovine
serum albumin (BSA), citrate synthase (CS), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) as well as
human heat shock protein 70 (Hhsp70). AuNPs were synthesised by a citrate reduction
method in the presence of cysteine as the capping agent, and analysed using UV/visible
spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effects of AuNPs on
the stability of BSA, MDH, Hhsp70 and CS to heat stress were assessed
spectroscopically, both in the presence and absence of AuNPs. I further investigated
the effects of AuNPs on the function of Hhsp70 in suppressing the aggregation of MDH.
Data observed in this study suggested that, the interaction between AuNPs and proteins
(BSA and Hhsp70) may be facilitated by sulfhydryl (SH) groups present in them. It was
also observed that AuNPs have capabilities of suppressing heat induced aggregation of
MDH and CS. Thus AuNPs have chaperone activity as they are capable of maintaining
proteins in their soluble, functional forms during heat stress.
Description
Dissertation submitted to the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology in the
Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand (South Africa) in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master (Msc) degree in Biochemistry, 2012.
Keywords
Gold nanoparticles, Nanoparticle - protein interaction, Disease diagnosis and drug delivery