RESUMEN
The synthesis and photophysical and biological investigation of Ru(II)-polypyridyl stabilized water-soluble, luminescent gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are described. These structures bind to DNA and undergo rapid cellular uptake, being localized within the cell cytoplasm and nucleus within 4 h.
Asunto(s)
ADN/metabolismo , Oro/química , Sustancias Luminiscentes/análisis , Nanopartículas/análisis , Compuestos Organometálicos/análisis , Piridinas/análisis , Núcleo Celular/ultraestructura , Citoplasma/ultraestructura , Oro/análisis , Células HeLa , Humanos , Luminiscencia , Sustancias Luminiscentes/química , Microscopía Confocal/métodos , Nanopartículas/química , Nanopartículas/ultraestructura , Compuestos Organometálicos/química , Piridinas/química , Piridinas/metabolismoRESUMEN
The development of Ru(II) functionalized gold nanoparticles 13·AuNP is described. These systems were found to be mono-disperse with a hydrodynamic radius of ca. 15 nm in water but gave rise to the formation of higher order structures in buffered solution. The interaction of 13·AuNP with DNA was also studied by spectroscopic and microscopic methods and suggested the formation of large self-assembly structures in solution. The uptake of 13·AuNP by cancer cells was studied using both confocal fluorescence as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), with the aim of investigating their potential as tools for cellular biology. These systems displaying a non-toxic profile with favourable photophysical properties may have application across various biological fields including diagnostics and therapeutics.