Structure-Property Relationships of Amphiphilic Nanoparticles That Penetrate or Fuse Lipid Membranes.

ABSTRACT: The development of synthetic nanomaterials that could embed within, penetrate, or induce fusion between membranes without permanent disruption would have great significance for biomedical applications. Here we describe structure-function relationships of highly water-soluble gold nanoparticles comprised of an ∼1.5-5 nm diameter metal core coated by an amphiphilic organic ligand shell, which exhibit membrane embedding and fusion activity mediated by the surface ligands. Using an environment-sensitive dye anchored within the ligand shell as a sensor of membrane embedding, we demonstrate that particles with core sizes of ∼2-3 nm are capable of embedding within and penetrating fluid bilayers. At the nanoscale, these particles also promote spontaneous fusion of liposomes or spontaneously embed

SUBMITTER: Atukorale PU 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6311100 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature