Monodisperse Magnetite Nanoparticles Coupled with Nuclear Localization Signal Peptide for Cell‐Nucleus Targeting |
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| Authors: | Chenjie Xu Jin Xie Nathan Kohler Edward?G Walsh Y Eugene Chin Shouheng Sun Prof |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA, Fax: (+1)?401‐863‐9046;2. Brown Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02906, USA;3. Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA;4. Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA |
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| Abstract: | Functionalization of monodisperse superparamagnetic magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles for cell specific targeting is crucial for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. Targeted magnetic nanoparticles can be used to enhance the tissue contrast in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to improve the efficiency in anticancer drug delivery, and to eliminate tumor cells by magnetic fluid hyperthermia. Herein we report the nucleus‐targeting Fe3O4 nanoparticles functionalized with protein and nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide. These NLS‐coated nanoparticles were introduced into the HeLa cell cytoplasm and nucleus, where the particles were monodispersed and non‐aggregated. The success of labeling was examined and identified by fluorescence microscopy and MRI. The work demonstrates that monodisperse magnetic nanoparticles can be readily functionalized and stabilized for potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. |
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| Keywords: | cell imaging magnetic resonance imaging magnetite nanoparticles |
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