Surface functionalities of gold nanoparticles impact embryonic gene expression responses.

ABSTRACT: Incorporation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) into consumer products is increasing; however, there is a gap in available toxicological data to determine the safety of AuNPs. In this study, we utilised the embryonic zebrafish to investigate how surface functionalisation and charge influence molecular responses. Precisely engineered AuNPs with 1.5 nm cores were synthesised and functionalized with three ligands: 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid (MES), N,N,N-trimethylammoniumethanethiol (TMAT), or 2-(2-(2-mercaptoethoxy)ethoxy)ethanol. Developmental assessments revealed differential biological responses when embryos were exposed to the functionalised AuNPs at the same concentration. Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, AuNP uptake was confirmed in exposed embryos. Following exposure

SUBMITTER: Truong L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3399027 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature