An aptamer-based assay for thrombin via structure switch based on gold nanoparticles and magnetic nanoparticles

An aptamer-based assay for thrombin with high specificity and sensitivity was presented. In the protocol, the aptamer for thrombin was immobilized on magnetic nanoparticle, and its complementary oligonucleotide was labeled with gold nanoparticles, then the aptamer was hybridized with the complementary oligonucleotide to form the duplex structure as a probe, this probe could be used for the specific recognition for thrombin. In the presence of thrombin, the aptamer prefer to form the G-quarter structure with thrombin, resulting in the dissociation of the duplex of the probe and the release of the gold labeled oligonucleotide. Upon this, we were able to detect thrombin through the detection of the electrochemical signal of gold nanoparticles. The strategy combines with the high specificity of aptamer and the excellent characteristics of nanoparticles. This assay is simple, rapid, sensitive and highly specific, it does not require labeling of thrombin, and it could be applied to detect thrombin in complex real sample. The method shows great potential in other protein analysis and in disease diagnosis.     

Preparation of gold nanoparticles on eggshell membrane and their biosensing application

A facile green biosynthesis method has been successfully developed to prepare gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of various core sizes (25 ± 7 nm) using a natural biomaterial, eggshell membrane (ESM) at ambient conditions. In situ synthesis of AuNPs-immobilized ESM is conducted in a simple manner by immersing ESM in a pH 6.0 aqueous solution of HAuCl₄ without adding any reductant. The formation of AuNPs on ESM protein fibers is attributed to the reduction of Au(III) ions to Au(0) by the aldehyde moieties of the natural ESM fibers. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction unambiguously identify the presence of AuNPs on ESM. The effect of pH on the in situ synthesis of AuNPs on ESM has been investigated in detail. The pH of the gold precursor (HAuCl₄) solution can influence the formation rate, dispersion and size of AuNPs on ESM. At pH ≤3.0 and ≥7.0, no AuNPs are observed on ESM while small AuNPs are homogeneously dispersed on ESM at pH 4.0-6.0. The optimal pH for AuNPs formation on ESM is 6.0. AuNPs/ESMs are used to immobilize glucose oxidase (GO_x) for glucose biosensing. AuNPs on ESM can increase the enzyme activity of GO_x. The linear response range of the glucose biosensor is 20 μM to 0.80 mM glucose with a detection limit of 17 μM (S/N = 3). The biosensor has been successfully applied to determine the glucose content in commercial glucose injections. Our work provides a very simple, non-toxic, convenient, and green route to synthesize AuNPs on ESM which is potentially useful in the biosensing field.     

Interplay between amphiphilic peptides and nanoparticles for selective membrane destabilization and antimicrobial effects

As a result of an increasing number of bacteria developing resistance against antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are attracting significant interest, particularly in relation to identification of peptides displaying potent but selective effects. Much less focus has been placed on delivery systems for AMPs, despite AMPs suffering from delivery challenges related to their size, cationicity, and amphiphilicity. Inorganic nanoparticles may provide opportunities for controlling peptide release, reducing infection-related AMP degradation, or increasing bioavailability. Numerous such nanomaterials display potent and triggerable antimicrobial effects on their own. When combined with AMPs, combinatorial and synergistic effects in relation to the behavior of such mixed systems as antimicrobials have been observed. The mechanistic origin of these effects are poorly understood that at present, however, precluding rational design of mixed nanoparticle antimicrobials/AMPs and nanoparticulate delivery systems for AMPs. Here, the area of membrane interactions and antimicrobial effects of inorganic nanomaterials are briefly outlined, in combination with AMPs.     

Synthesis and electrochemical applications of gold nanoparticles

This review covers recent advances in synthesis and electrochemical applications of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Described approaches include the synthesis of AuNPs via designing and choosing new protecting ligands; and applications in electrochemistry of AuNPs including AuNPs-based bioelectrochemical sensors, such as direct electrochemistry of redox-proteins, genosensors and immunosensors, and AuNPs as enhancing platform for electrocatalysis and electrochemical sensors.     

Self-assembled gold nanoparticles on functionalized gold (111) studied by scanning tunneling microscopy

Nanogold colloidal solutions are prepared by the reduction of HAuClO4 with sodium citrate and sodium borohydride.4-Aminothiophenol (ATP) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are formed on gold(111) surface,on which gold nanopartides are immobilized and a sub-monolayer of the particles appears.This sub-monolayer of gold nanopartides is characterized with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM),and a dual energy barrier tunneling model is proposed to explain the imageability of the gold nanopartides by STM.This model can also be used to construct multiple energy barrier structure on solid/ liquid interface and to evaluate the electron transport ability of some organic monolayers with the aid of electrochemical method.     

Preparation and characterization of polyimide-nanogold nanocomposites from 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane encapsulated gold nanoparticles

In this study, we report a new design to prepare polyimide-nanogold nanocomposites of high Au content and good thermal stability. The nanocomposites were prepared from the coupling agent (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, APS) capped poly(amic acid) (PAA-APS) and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) stabilized gold nanoparticles (MPS-Au). The Si-OR groups of MPS on the surface of MPS-Au provided further reaction with APS, hence the covalent bonds between PAA and MPS-Au were formed. PAA-Au was converted into PI-Au nanocomposite by a multiple-step baking. The results of particle-sized analysis show that the sizes of the synthesized MPS-Au from different MPS/Au mole ratios (2 and 0.5) are about 2 nm and 5 nm, respectively. FE-SEM images show that MPS-Au particles are dispersed well in the prepared nanocomposites and no large-scale aggregation occurs. TGA results indicate that the decomposition temperature of each nanocomposite prepared from its washed precursor is lower than that of APS-capped polyimide, but the temperature of maximum decomposed rate of each nanocomposite is higher than that of APS-capped polyimide. The results show the high thermal stability and application potentials of the prepared polyimide-nanogold nanocomposites.     

Colorimetric detection of potassium ions using aptamer-functionalized gold nanoparticles

Herein, a simple and novel colorimetric method for detection of potassium ions (K⁺) was developed. The colorimetric experiments revealed that upon the addition of K⁺, the conformation of anti-K⁺ aptamer in solution changed from random coil structure to compact rigid G-quadruplex one. This compact rigid G-quadruplex structure could not protect AuNPs against K⁺-induced aggregation, and thus the visible color change from wine-red to blue-purple could be observed by the naked eye. The linear range of the colorimetric aptasensor covered a large variation of K⁺ concentration from 5 nM to 1 μM and the detection limit of 5 nM was obtained. Moreover, this assay was able to detect K⁺ with high selectivity and had great potential applications.     

Surface-functionalized silica-coated gold nanoparticles and their bioapplications

Monodisperse Au at SiO₂ nanoparticles has been functionalized with carboxylic groups for further bioconjugation with amino-terminated oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotide-modified Au at SiO₂ nanoprobes have been applied in the fast colorimetric DNA based on the sequence-specific hybridization properties of DNA. Self-assembling behavior of Au at SiO₂ nanoparticles was also investigated.     

Physico-chemical characterization and anti-laryngeal cancer effects of the gold nanoparticles

Most recently, gold nanoparticles due to anticancer properties have been considered in medical science. So the aim of the study was green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Ocimum basilicum extract and its anticancer activity. The prepared Au nanoparticles were characterized by advanced physicochemical techniques like Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and UV–vis spectroscopy study. It has been established that Au nanoparticles have a spherical shape with a mean diameter from 19 to 44 nm. In the cellular and molecular part of the recent study, the treated cells with Au nanoparticles were assessed by MTT assay for 48 h about the cytotoxicity and anti-human laryngeal cancer properties on normal (HUVEC) and cancer (HEp-2, TU212, KB, UM-SCC-5, UM-SCC-11A and UM-SCC-11B) cell lines. In the antioxidant test, the IC50 of Au nanoparticles and BHT against DPPH free radicals were 228 and 208 µg/mL, respectively. The IC50 of Au nanoparticles were 174, 231, 179, 143, 230, and 216 µg/mL against HEp-2, TU212, KB, UM-SCC-5, UM-SCC-11A and UM-SCC-11B cell lines, respectively. The viability of malignant cell lines reduced dose-dependently in the presence of Au nanoparticles. It appears that the anti-cancer effect of Au nanoparticles e to their antioxidant effects.     

Preparation and characterization of complexes of liposomes with gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), which are extremely useful materials for imaging and photothermal therapy, typically require a drug delivery system to transport them to the affected tissue and into the cells. Since liposomes are approved as drug carriers, complexes of liposomes with Au NPs were considered ideal solutions to deliver Au NPs to the target site in vivo. In this study, we prepared complexes of various liposomes with Au NPs via physical absorption and characterized them. The time dependency of the surface plasmon resonance of this complex, which is a unique property of Au NPs, shows that the liposomes promote the formation of stable dispersions of Au NPs under isotonic conditions, even though intact Au NPs aggregate immediately. From a release assay of calcein from liposomes and transmission electron microscopy analysis, the Au NPs were complexed with liposomes without membrane disruption. These complexes could be formed by using cationic liposomes and polyethylene glycol-modified liposomes, as well as by using phosphatidylcholine liposomes, which are useful for drug and gene delivery. We proposed this kind of complex as a nanomedicine with diagnostic and therapeutic ability.     

Visual and fluorescent detection of acetamiprid based on the inner filter effect of gold nanoparticles on ratiometric fluorescence quantum dots

In this work, we develop a simple and rapid sensing method for the visual and fluorescent detection of acetamiprid (AC) based on the inner-filter effect (IFE) of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on ratiometric fluorescent quantum dots (RF-QDs). The RF-QDs based dual-emission nanosensor was fabricated by assembling green emissive QDs (QDs_539 nm, λ_em = 539 nm) on the surface of red emissive QDs (QDs_661 nm, λ_em = 661 nm)-doped silica microspheres. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of RF-QDs could be quenched by AuNPs based on IFE. Acetamiprid can adsorb on the surface of AuNPs due to its cyano group that has good affinity with gold, which could induce the aggregation of AuNPs accompanying color change from red to blue. Thus, the IFE of AuNPs on RF-QDs was weakened and the PL intensity of RF-QDs was recovered accordingly. Under the optimized conditions, the PL intensity of the RF-QDs/AuNPs system was proportional to the concentration of AC in the range of 0.025–5.0 μg mL⁻¹, with a detection limit of 16.8 μg L⁻¹. The established method had been used for AC detection in environmental and agricultural samples with satisfactory results.     

纳米金催化一氧化碳氧化反应的理论研究

近年来,纳米金催化剂独特的催化性质,特别是其优异的低温催化氧化活性,引起了人们极大的研究热情.除低温选择氧化外,在精细化学品合成、大气污染物消除、氢能的转换和利用等领域也开发出了一系列有广泛应用前景的金催化反应.此外,体相金的化学惰性和纳米金的超高活性之间差异的“鸿沟”也引起了理论工作者浓厚兴趣,试图从原理上理解体相金和纳米金活性差异的根源. CO催化氧化是最具有代表性的研究金催化活性的化学反应,本文主要综述了近十多年来金催化 CO氧化反应理论计算方面的研究工作.一般认为, CO在纳米金表面的吸附是 CO氧化反应的初始步骤.密度泛函理论研究表明, CO在金表面的吸附强度主要与被吸附金原子的配位数有关：金配位数越低, CO的吸附能越强,部分研究结果表明两者之间存在近似的线性关系.我们研究发现, CO吸附强度也与被吸附金周围配位金原子的相对位置有关,其中位于正下方的配位金原子加强 CO吸附,而位于侧位的配位金原子则弱化 CO吸附,这显然削弱了 CO吸附与金配位数线性关系的可靠性.理论研究表明,在纯金表
　　面上 O2吸附强度一般很弱,只有在一些特殊结构的金团簇上才有较强的吸附,但在 Au/TiO2界面及 CeO2表面上 O2吸附较强.金表面原子氧的吸附和金的表面结构有关.我们发现,原子氧倾向于在金的表面形成一种线性的 O–Au–O结构以增加其稳定性.当金表面的氧覆盖度增大时,会形成一种金氧化物薄膜结构,其结构依赖于氧的化学势和金的表面结构.纳米金催化 CO氧化反应机理可能因体系、载体等的差异而不同.大部分理论计算结果表明,在纯金表面上 O2很难直接解离形成原子氧,因此反应机理可能是吸附的 CO先与 O2反应形成了一种 CO–O2中间体,然后解离形成 CO2.在 Au/TiO2和 Au/CeO2催化剂上 CO催化氧化机理争议很大,均有计算结果支持 LH机理和 M–vK机理.另外,根据实验上观察到了负载型纳米金能直接活化分子氧的结果,理论上也提出了分子氧先解离为原子氧再与 CO反应的氧解离机理.针对如何解离分子氧问题,人们分别提出了低配位金模型、正方形金结构模型、Ti5c模型及 Au/Ti5c模型等.我们也提出了一种独特的双直线 O–Au–O模型来理解 Au/TiO2或 Au/CeO2界面解离活化分子氧.理论计算结果表明,低配位的金,金和载体之间的电荷转移,以及金所表现出的强相对论效应对于纳米金的活性影响很大.需要特别指出的是,金的强相对论效应有助于理解金表面的 CO吸附与金配位的关系、金表面原子氧的吸附特性、金氧化物薄膜的结构和分子氧的活化等过程.我们认为,金的强相对论作用导致了体相金的化学惰性以及纳米金的活性,因此相对论效应的深入研究将有助于理解金催化 CO氧化反应机理,从而有助于深层次理解纳米金催化活性来源.     

A colorimetric sensor array for detection and discrimination of biothiols based on aggregation of gold nanoparticles

Developments of sensitive, rapid, and cheap systems for identification of a wide range of biomolecules have been recognized as a critical need in the biology field. Here, we introduce a simple colorimetric sensor array for detection of biological thiols, based on aggregation of three types of surface engineered gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The low-molecular-weight biological thiols show high affinity to the surface of AuNPs; this causes replacement of AuNPs’ shells with thiol containing target molecules leading to the aggregation of the AuNPs through intermolecular electrostatic interaction or hydrogen-bonding. As a result of the predetermined aggregation, color and UV–vis spectra of AuNPs are changed. We employed the digital mapping approach to analyze the spectral variations with statistical and chemometric methods, including hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). The proposed array could successfully differentiate biological molecules (e.g., cysteine, glutathione and glutathione disulfide) from other potential interferences such as amino acids in the concentration range of 10–800 μmol L⁻¹.     

Helfrich's concept of intrinsic force and its molecular origin in bilayers and monolayers

Bilayers and monolayers are excellent models of biological membranes. The constituents of the biological membranes such as lipids, cholesterols and proteins are chiral. Chiral molecules are abundant in nature (protein, nucleic acid and lipid). It is obvious that relationship between chirality and morphology (as well as function) of biological membrane is of interest for its fundamental importance and has technological implication regarding various membrane functions. The recent years have witnessed that a number of experimental studies in biomimetic systems have shown fascinating morphologies where chirality of the constituent molecule has decisive influence. Significant progress is made towards the understanding of these systems from the theoretical and computational studies. Helfrich's concept of intrinsic force arising from chirality is a milestone in understanding the biomimetic system such as bilayer and the related concepts, further progresses in molecular understanding made in recent years and experimental studies revealing the influence of chirality on morphology are the focus of the present review. Helfrich's concept of intrinsic force arising due to chirality is useful in understanding two-dimensional bilayers and one-dimensional monolayers and related mimetic systems. Various experimental techniques are used, which can probe the molecular architecture of these mimetic systems at different length scales and both macroscopic (thermodynamic) as well as microscopic (molecular) theories are developed. These studies are aimed to understand the role of chirality in the molecular interaction when the corresponding molecule is present in an aggregate. When one looks into the variety of morphologies exhibited by three-dimensional bilayer and two-dimensional monolayer, the later types of systems are more exotic in the sense that they show more diversity and interesting chiral discrimination. Helfrich's concept of intrinsic force may be considered useful in both cases. The intrinsic force due to chirality is the decisive factor in determining morphology which is explained by molecular approaches. Finally, biological and technological implications of such morphological variations are briefly mentioned.     

Effects of diclofenac on EPC liposome membrane properties

In this work the interaction of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), diclofenac, with egg yolk phosphatidylcoline (EPC) liposomes, used as cell-membrane models, was quantified by determination of the partition coefficient. The liposome/aqueous phase partition coefficient was determined by derivative spectrophotometry, fluorescence quenching, and measurement of zeta-potential. Theoretical models based on simple partition of the diclofenac between two different media, were used to fit the experimental data, enabling the determination of K_p. The three techniques used yielded similar results. The effects of the interaction on the membranes characteristics were further evaluated, either by studying membrane potential changes or by effects on membrane fluidity. The liposome membrane potential and the size and size-homogeneity of liposomes were measured by light scattering. The effects of diclofenac on the internal viscosity or fluidity of the membrane were determined by use of spectroscopic probes—a series of n-(9-anthroyloxy) fatty acids in which the carboxyl terminal group is located at the interfacial region of the membrane and the fluorescent anthracene group is attached at different positions along the fatty acid chain. The location of the diclofenac on the membrane was also evaluated, by fluorescence quenching using the same series of fluorescent probes. Because the fluorescent anthracene group is attached at different positions along the fatty acid chain, it is possible to label at a graded series of depths in the bilayer. The interactions between the drug and the probe are a means of predicting the location of the drug on the membrane.     

A study on the sizes and concentrations of gold nanoparticles by spectra of absorption, resonance Rayleigh scattering and resonance non-linear scattering

Liquid phase gold nanoparticles with different diameters and colors can be prepared using sodium citrate reduction method by controlling the amounts of sodium citrate. The mean diameters of gold nanoparticles are measured by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Gold nanoparticles with different sizes have specific absorption spectra. When the diameters of nanoparticles is between 12 and 41 nm, the maximum absorption peaks locate at 520-530 nm and there are red shifts gradually with the increase of diameters of gold nanoparticles. And when the size of gold nanoparticle is constant, the absorbance is proportional to the concentration of gold. Obvious resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) and the resonance non-linear scattering such as second-order scattering (SOS) and frequency-doubling scattering (FDS) appear at the same time as well, and the maximum scattering peaks are located at 286 nm (RRS), 480 nm (SOS) and 310 nm (FDS), respectively. When the concentration of gold is constant, absorbance and the intensities of RRS, SOS and FDS (I(RRS), I(SOS) and I(FDS)) have linear relationships with the diameters of gold nanoparticles. When the diameter of gold nanoparticle is constant, the absorbance and I(RRS), I(SOS), I(FDS) are directly proportional to the concentrations of gold nanoparticles. Therefore, it is very useful for studying the liquid phase gold nanoparticles by investigating the absorption, RRS, SOS and FDS spectra.     

A electrochemiluminescence aptasensor for detection of thrombin incorporating the capture aptamer labeled with gold nanoparticles immobilized onto the thio-silanized ITO electrode

A novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor was proposed for sensitive and cost-effective detection of the target thrombin adopted an aptamer-based sandwich format. To detect thrombin, capture aptamers labeled with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were first immobilized onto the thio-silanized ITO electrode surface through strong Au-S bonds. After catching the target thrombin, signal aptamers tagged with ECL labels were attached to the assembled electrode surface. As a result, an AuNPs-capture-aptamer/thrombin/ECL-tagged-signal-aptamer sandwich type was formed. Treating the resulting electrode surface with tri-n-propylamine (TPA) and applying a swept potential to the electrode, ECL response was generated which realized the detection of target protein. Spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance techniques were used to characterize and confirm the fabrication of the ECL aptasensor. AuNPs amplification and smart sensor fabrication art were implemented for the sensitive and cost-effective detection purpose. Signal-to-dose curve excellently followed a sandwich format equation and could be used to quantify the protein, and the detection limit was estimated to be 10 nM. Other forms of thrombin such as β- and γ-thrombins had negligible response, which indicated a high specificity of α-thrombin detection. The aptasensor opened up new fields of aptamer applications in ECL domain, a highly sensitive technique, and had a promising perspective to be applied in microarray analysis.     

A rapid and simple separation and direct detection of glutathione by gold nanoparticles and graphene‐based MALDI–TOF‐MS

In this study, we present a rapid and simple method for the separation and direct detection of glutathione by combining gold nanoparticles and MALDI–TOF‐MS with graphene as matrix. Gold nanoparticles enable the selective capture of thiol‐containing compounds. Gold nanoparticles bound with analytes can be mixed with graphene matrix for direct analysis by MALDI–TOF‐MS, which can avoid sample loss and contamination during transfer process. Compared with a conventional matrix, α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid, graphene exhibits an excellent desorption/ionization efficiency, thermal and mechanical properties. The use of graphene as matrix avoids the fragmentation of analytes. Stable analysis was achieved with less background interference even at the concentration of 0.625 ng/μL. To further confirm its efficiency, the optimized approach was applied to the separation and detection of glutathione in mouse liver extraction. This result showed the great potential of detection of biologically important thiols in biochemical and biomedical research.     

Usefulness of gold nanoparticles as labels for the determination of gliadins by immunoaffinity chromatography with light scattering detection

A simple and fast immunoaffinity method is proposed for the determination of gliadins for the first time using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as labels. The tracer used consists in a gliadin-AuNP conjugate prepared by the adsorption of gliadins onto the nanoparticle surface. Two AuNP sizes with diameters of 10 nm and 20 nm were assayed to compare the behaviour of the corresponding tracer in the assay. The method relies on the injection in a commercial Protein G column of a preincubated mixture containing gliadins, polyclonal anti-gliadin antibodies, and the gliadin-AuNP tracer. This approach allows the separation of free and bound tracer fractions without any additional elution step, and the direct measurement of the resonance light scattering intensity of the free tracer through the peak height of the immunochromatogram, which is proportional to the analyte concentration. The immunocolumn can be used up to 25 times without eluting and it can be regenerated for at least 20 times. The dynamic ranges of the calibration graphs and the detection limits are 0.5-15.0 and 1.5-15.0 μg mL⁻¹ gliadins, and 0.2 μg mL⁻¹ and 0.8 μg mL⁻¹ gliadins, using 20-nm and 10-nm Au-NPs as labels, respectively. The precision, expressed as relative standard deviation, ranges between 2.7% and 2.9% using 20-nm AuNPs and 4% and 6.1% for 10-nm AuNPs. The method has been applied to the determination of the prolamin fraction in beer samples, obtaining recovery values in the range 71.2% and 101.7%.     

Detection of flavonoids and assay for their antioxidant activity based on enlargement of gold nanoparticles

We report our findings that natural flavonoids such as quercetin, daizeol and puerarin can act as reductants for the enlargement of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs). Consequently, the UV–vis spectra of a solution containing Au-NPs will be gradually changed, and the molecules of the natural herbs can be detected by making use of changes in the UV–visible spectra. Furthermore, we have prepared a self-assembled monolayer modified electrode by modifying cysteamine on a gold substrate electrode, which is further modified by some Au-NP seeds. When the modified electrode is immersed in a solution containing flavonoids and tetrachloroauric acid as a gold source for the growth of the Au-NP seeds, with the increase of the concentration of flavonoids, the Au-NP seeds on the surface of the modified electrode can be enlarged to varying degrees. As a result, the peak currents in the corresponding cyclic voltammograms are inversely decreased, and simultaneously the peak separation is increased. Therefore, an electrochemical method to detect flavonoids is also proposed. Compared with the optical detection method, the electrochemical method has an extraordinarily lower detection limit and a significantly extended detection range. Moreover, the optical and electrochemical experimental results can be also used to assay and compare the relative antioxidant activities of the flavonoids. Figure Enlargement of Au nanoparticles by flavonoids at cysteamine modified electrode