Dynamic colloidal nanoparticle assembly triggered by aptamer-receptor interactions on live cell membranes

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Cells utilize complex dynamic systems like enzyme cascades and signaling networks for functional control.
• Engineering responsive synthetic dynamic systems for biomedical use faces challenges in complex cellular environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer a target-responsive aptamer and DNA displacement reaction-based dynamic system.
• To demonstrate the system's ability to transform nanostructure in response to epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) on live cell membranes.

Main Methods:

• Designed a dynamic system with core and satellite nanoparticles.
• Utilized DNA hairpin and swing arm strands with an EpCAM-specific aptamer.
• Engineered aptamer-receptor interactions for dynamic assembly on cell membranes.

Main Results:

• The system dynamically assembled into a core-satellite nanostructure upon binding to EpCAM on live cells.
• Structural transformation generated plasmonic coupled hot spots for sensitive Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) detection.
• Successfully captured dynamic structural changes of the nanoassembly within the cellular environment.

Conclusions:

• Developed a novel aptamer-based dynamic nanotechnology system for target recognition.
• Demonstrated the system's potential for sensitive detection and monitoring in complex biological settings.
• Provided strategies for engineering dynamic nanotechnologies for advanced biological and biomedical applications.