Cytochrome c‐Capped Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters: Imaging of Live Cells and Delivery of Cytochrome c |
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| Authors: | Shyamtanu Chattoraj Md. Asif Amin Prof. Dr. Kankan Bhattacharyya |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Physical Chemistry, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India), Fax: (91)-33-2473-2805 |
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| Abstract: | Cytochrome c‐capped fluorescent gold nanoclusters (Au‐NCs) are used for imaging of live lung and breast cells. Delivery of cytochrome c inside the cells is confirmed by covalently attaching a fluorophore (Alexa Fluor 594) to cytochrome c‐capped Au‐NCs and observing fluorescence from Alexa 594 inside the cell. Mass spectrometry studies suggest that in bulk water, addition of glutathione (GSH) to cytochrome c‐capped Au‐NCs results in the formation of glutathione‐capped Au‐NCs and free apo‐cytochrome c. Thus glutathione displaces cytochrome c as a capping agent. Using confocal microscopy, the emission spectra and decay of Au‐NCs are measured in live cells. From the position of the emission maximum it is shown that the Au‐NCs exist as Au8 in bulk water and as Au13 inside the cells. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer from cytochrome c–Au‐NC (donor) to Mitotracker Orange (acceptor) indicates that the Au‐NCs localise in the mitochondria of live cells. |
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| Keywords: | bio-imaging cytochrome c FRET gold nanoclusters live cells |
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