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Quantifying Cytosolic Cytochrome c Concentration Using Carbon Quantum Dots as a Powerful Method for Apoptosis
Cristian Silviu Moldovan1,2, Anca Onaciu1,2, Valentin Toma2
1Department of Pharmaceutical Physics & Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Louis Pasteur Street No. 4-6, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Pharmaceutics
|October 23, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed carbon quantum dots for detecting cytochrome c (Cyt c) release during apoptosis. This method offers a new way to indirectly evaluate programmed cell death in vitro using fluorescence microscopy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cytochrome c (Cyt c) is a critical biomarker for early apoptosis.
- Fluorescent nanoparticles offer valuable optical properties for studying programmed cell death.
- Carbon quantum dots provide biocompatible and low-cytotoxicity imaging for biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for detecting Cyt c release.
- To evaluate the efficacy of CQDs in monitoring apoptosis.
- To establish an indirect in vitro method for apoptosis assessment.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized CQDs (<5 nm) from sodium citrate and polyethylene imine.
- Characterized CQDs and assessed their fluorescence quenching in apoptotic A549 cells.
- Utilized confocal laser scanning microscopy for semiquantitative analysis of Cyt c release.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized and characterized CQDs.
- Demonstrated CQDs' ability to detect Cyt c release via fluorescence microscopy.
- Observed significant fluorescence drops in apoptotic cells, confirming Cyt c mitochondrial release.
Conclusions:
- The developed CQDs are effective for Cyt c detection.
- This method provides an indirect in vitro evaluation of apoptosis.
- CQDs show promise for apoptosis monitoring in biomedical research.
