Identifying new therapeutic targets via modulation of protein corona formation by engineered nanoparticles.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We introduce a promising methodology to identify new therapeutic targets in cancer. Proteins bind to nanoparticles to form a protein corona. We modulate this corona by using surface-engineered nanoparticles, and identify protein composition to provide insight into disease development.

Methods/principal findings

Using a family of structurally homologous nanoparticles we have investigated the changes in the protein corona around surface-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from normal and malignant ovarian cell lysates. Proteomics analysis using mass spectrometry identified hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) that is found exclusively on positively charged AuNPs ((+)AuNPs) after incubation with the lysates. We confirmed expression of HDGF in various ovarian c

SUBMITTER: Arvizo RR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3307759 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature