Structure and formation of highly luminescent protein-stabilized gold clusters.

ABSTRACT: Highly luminescent gold clusters simultaneously synthesized and stabilized by protein molecules represent a remarkable category of nanoscale materials with promising applications in bionanotechnology as sensors. Nevertheless, the atomic structure and luminescence mechanism of these gold clusters are still unknown after several years of developments. Herein, we report findings on the structure, luminescence and biomolecular self-assembly of gold clusters stabilized by the large globular protein, bovine serum albumin. We highlight the surprising identification of interlocked gold-thiolate rings as the main gold structural unit. Importantly, such gold clusters are in a rigidified state within the protein scaffold, offering an explanation for their highly luminescent character. Combined free-s

SUBMITTER: Chevrier DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5914291 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature