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Mapping the Binding Site of an Aptamer on ATP Using MicroScale Thermophoresis
Published on: January 7, 2017
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Super LCST thermo-responsive nanoparticle assembly for ATP binding through the Hofmeister effect
Smita Kashyap1, Manickam Jayakannan
1Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, Maharashtra, India. jayakannan@iiserpune.ac.in.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|April 9, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed a thermo-responsive nanoparticle for detecting adenosine triphosphate (ATP) using the Hofmeister effect. This novel assembly shows high selectivity for ATP detection.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a crucial molecule in biological systems.
- Developing selective and sensitive methods for ATP detection is important for biological and medical research.
- Thermo-responsive materials offer unique properties for controlled molecular interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a super Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST) thermo-responsive amphiphilic nanoparticle assembly.
- To utilize the Hofmeister effect for the selective detection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
- To investigate the binding mechanism and affinity of the nanoparticle assembly for ATP.
Main Methods:
- Design and synthesis of a novel diblock amphiphile (polyethylene glycol and 3-pendadecylphenol).
- Self-assembly of the amphiphile into micellar nanoparticles (150 nm).
- Characterization using electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and isothermal calorimetry.
- Evaluation of selectivity for ATP over adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), and inorganic phosphate (Pi) using the Hofmeister effect.
Main Results:
- The amphiphilic nanoparticle assembly exhibited a super LCST above 90 °C.
- The assembly demonstrated high selectivity for ATP recognition, attributed to hydrophobic encapsulation and hydration shell modification.
- Binding studies revealed an endothermic process with a binding constant three times higher for ATP compared to inorganic phosphate (Pi).
- Electron microscopy, AFM, and DLS confirmed the nanoparticle size, shape, and ATP complexes.
Conclusions:
- A novel thermo-responsive amphiphilic nanoparticle assembly capable of detecting ATP via the Hofmeister effect has been successfully developed.
- The developed system shows significant selectivity for ATP, offering a promising platform for biological sensing applications.
- This work presents the first thermo-responsive scaffold designed for ATP recognition, opening new avenues in biosensor development.
