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Interaction of Atomically Precise Thiolated Copper Nanoclusters with Proteins: A Comparative Study
Vinitha Packirisamy1, Prabhu Pandurangan1
1Department of Physical Chemistry, School of Chemical Science, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, Tamilnadu600 025, India.
ACS Omega
|November 28, 2022
Summary
Glutathione-stabilized copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) were synthesized and characterized. These CuNCs showed minimal interaction with bovine serum albumin and lysozyme, indicating potential for biological applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials Science
- Biochemistry
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) are emerging nanomaterials with unique photophysical properties.
- Glutathione is a common capping agent for stabilizing metal nanoclusters.
- Understanding protein-nanomaterial interactions is crucial for developing biocompatible nanoprobes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize glutathione-stabilized copper nanoclusters (CuNCs).
- To investigate the interaction of CuNCs with plasma proteins: bovine serum albumin (BSA), lysozyme (Lys), and hemoglobin (Hb).
- To evaluate the potential of CuNCs for biological applications based on their protein interaction profiles.
Main Methods:
- Facile synthesis of CuNCs in H2O/tetrahydrofuran medium.
- Characterization using photophysical and morphological studies.
- Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for composition analysis (Cu12(SG)9).
- Spectroscopic studies (UV-visible, fluorescence, circular dichroism) to analyze protein-CuNC interactions.
Main Results:
- Synthesized CuNCs exhibited green emission, stability, and small size.
- CuNCs showed minimal conformational changes and luminescence quenching with BSA and Lys due to weak interactions.
- Significant changes in CuNC photophysical activity were observed with Hb, attributed to metallophic interactions.
- Protein-CuNC interactions are influenced by functional groups on CuNCs and amino acid residues in proteins.
Conclusions:
- Glutathione-stabilized CuNCs (Cu12(SG)9) are synthesized with desirable properties.
- CuNCs demonstrate selective interaction profiles with plasma proteins.
- Weak interactions with BSA and Lys suggest suitability for biological applications.
- Strong interactions with Hb highlight the influence of metallophic binding and offer insights for targeted nanomedicine design.
