Carbon nanotube-assisted optical activation of TGF-ß signalling by near-infrared light.
Nat Nanotechnol
; 10(5): 465-71, 2015 May.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25775150
ABSTRACT
Receptor-mediated signal transduction modulates complex cellular behaviours such as cell growth, migration and differentiation. Although photoactivatable proteins have emerged as a powerful tool for controlling molecular interactions and signalling cascades at precise times and spaces using light, many of these light-sensitive proteins are activated by ultraviolent or visible light, which has limited tissue penetration. Here, we report a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-assisted approach that enables near-infrared light-triggered activation of transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) signal transduction, an important signalling pathway in embryonic development and cancer progression. The protein complex of TGF-ß and its latency-associated peptide is conjugated onto SWCNTs, where TGF-ß is inactive. Upon near-infrared irradiation, TGF-ß is released through the photothermal effect of SWCNTs and becomes active. The released TGF-ß activates downstream signal transduction in live cells and modulates cellular behaviours. Furthermore, preliminary studies show that the method can be used to mediate TGF-ß signalling in living mice.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Signal Transduction
/
Transforming Growth Factor beta
/
Nanotubes, Carbon
/
Infrared Rays
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Nat Nanotechnol
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article