Dispersed Gold Nanoparticle Array Produced by Apoferritins Utilizing Biomineralization and Chemical Conversion

A new method for producing a dispersed gold nanoparticle (Au NP) array to anchor probe DNAs onto a DNA-sensing electrode has been developed. A homogenous gold sulfide (Au₂S) core (precursor of Au NP) was biomineralized in the cavity of a mutant apoferritin (K98E) with enhanced negative outer-surface charges. We employed a slow chemical reaction system utilizing a stable cationic gold complex. K98E could attract the gold complex, and Au₂S NPs were synthesized. K98E enabled dispersed placement of the synthesized Au₂S core onto a cationic 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) layer on a substrate. UV-ozone treatment eliminated the protein shells and APTES layer. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that the Au₂S core was reduced to Au NPs under the same treatment. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) clearly showed that the combination of apoferritin versatility, chemical system design, and UV-ozone treatment successfully produced a dispersed Au NP array on the substrate.