Jiangong Liang

Study on the interaction between histidine-capped Au nanoclusters and bovine serum albumin with spectroscopic techniques

The understanding of the protein-nanoclusters interaction has significant implications for biological applications of nanoclusters (NCs). In this manuscript, the interaction of histidine-capped Au nanoclusters (NCs) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been investigated by fluorescence, UV-vis, circular dichroism (CD) and Raman spectroscopic techniques under simulative physiological conditions. The results showed that the fluorescence of BSA was quenched by Au NCs. The quenching mechanism was discussed to be a dynamic quenching style, which was proved by the fluorescence spectra and UV-vis absorption spectra. According to modified Stern-Volmer equations at different temperatures, corresponding thermodynamic parameters, ΔH(θ), ΔS(θ) and ΔG(θ) were observed to be 35.97 kJ mol(-1), 199.53 J mol(-1) K(-1) and -23.49 kJ mol(-1), respectively. The hydrophobic force played a key role in the interaction process. Further results from the CD spectra and Raman spectra demonstrated that the α-helical content in BSA was reduced upon interaction with Au NCs which induced a partial protein destabilization. This study contributes to a better understanding of the biology toxicity of Au NCs to biomolecular, which is very essential for the development of safe and functional Au NCs.

Interaction between fluorescein isothiocyanate and carbon dots: Inner filter effect and fluorescence resonance energy transfer

Carbon dots (CDs) have been widely used for the preparation of multifunctional probes by conjugation with organic fluorescent dyes. However, the effect of organic fluorescent dyes on CDs still remains poorly understood. Herein, the effect of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) on CDs was explored by spectroscopic techniques at pH5.1, 7.0 and 9.0. The fluorescent intensity of CDs was found to be quenched gradually after mixing directly with different concentrations of FITC, but the fluorescent lifetime of CDs remained unchanged. According to the results of UV-vis absorption spectra and fluorescent lifetime measurements, a pH-dependent inner filter effect (IFE) between CDs and FITC was proposed. However, the fluorescent lifetime of CDs deceased after their conjugation with FITC, implying the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between CDs and FITC. This study has revealed two different effects of FITC on CDs with varying pH values and provided useful theoretical guidelines for further research on the interaction between other nanoparticles and fluorophores.

Facile synthesis and characterization of Au nanoclusters-silica fluorescent composite nanospheres

We developed a novel method for the synthesis of Au nanoclusters (NCs) silica fluorescent composite nanospheres by mixing the as-prepared bovine serum albumin (BSA) protected Au NCs with amino-modified silica spheres in acetate buffer solution. The products were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fluorescent microscope imaging (FLMI), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. The proposed method was simple, efficient, and inexpensive. In addition, the composite nanospheres exhibited favorable water-dispersible, stable, and fluorescent properties, potentially leading to further applications in chemical and biological sensors. A reasonable mechanism was also proposed for the formation of composite nanospheres.

A Novel Ratiometric Probe Based on Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Dots and Rhodamine B Isothiocyanate for Detection of Fe3+ in Aqueous Solution

A ratiometric probe for determining ferric ions (Fe3+) was developed based on nitrogen-doped carbon dots (CDs) and rhodamine B isothiocyanate (RhB), which was then applied to selective detection of Fe3+ in PB buffer solution, lake water, and tap water. In the sensing system, FePO4 particles deposit on the surface of CDs, resulting in larger particles and surface passivation. The fluorescence (FL) intensity and the light scattering (LS) intensity of CDs can be gradually enhanced with the addition of Fe3+, while the FL intensity of RhB remains constant. The ratiometric light intensity of CDs LS and RhB FL was quantitatively in response to Fe3+ concentrations in a dynamic range of 0.01–1.2 μM, with a detection limit as low as 6 nM. Other metal ions, such as Fe2+, Al3+, K+, Ca2+, and Co2+, had no significant interference on the determination of Fe3+. Compared with traditional probes based on single-signal probe for Fe3+ detection, this dual-signal-based ratiometric probe exhibits a more reliable and stable response on target concentration and is characterized by easy operation in a simple fluorescence spectrophotometer.

Investigation the interaction between protamine sulfate and CdTe quantum dots with spectroscopic techniques

The interaction between protamine sulfate and CdTe quantum dots (QDs) was investigated in detail by spectroscopic techniques. It was found that the fluorescence of QDs was quenched intensely by protamine sulfate. According to the results of lifetime measurements, temperature dependence, UV-Vis absorption spectra, calorimetric titration and zeta potential measurements, a combined dynamic and static quenching model was proposed. The binding force was also discussed and the process was found to be associated with electrostatic interaction. The results of this work indicated that the charge of protein has great effect on the emission of QDs. Moreover, it should contribute to the studies of interactions of QDs with proteins and promotes its application in biological systems.

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterization of Water-Soluble Fluorescent Ag Nanoclusters

Water-soluble fluorescent Ag nanoclusters (NCs) were synthesized at room temperature with sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) as a protective agent. The effects of synthetic conditions on the fluorescence properties of Ag NCs were investigated. The results show that the fluorescence intensity of Ag NCs strongly depends on the synthetic conditions, such as the molar ratio of AgNO3 versus SDS and sodium borohydride (NaBH4), the reaction time, and the pH value of the reaction solution. Under the optimum conditions, the as-prepared Ag NCs exist in face-centered-cubic phase with an average size of 2 nm. Fluorescence spectra of Ag NCs show emission peaks at 365 nm for different excitation wavelength. Resonant absorptions are observed at 203 nm and 277 nm in the absorption spectrum, which can be used to establish the electronic levels in the Ag NCs system.

A simple and efficient method for synthesizing te nanowires from CdTe nanoparticles with EDTA as shape controller under hydrothermal condition

We developed a simple and efficient method for synthesizing Te nanowires from CdTe nanoparticles with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dehydrate (EDTA) as shape controller under hydrothermal condition. The systemcould both complete the transformation to Te and reduce the interference of CdTeS by adjusting the concentration of EDTA, which was proved by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction patterns, and Raman spectra. It was found that the as-prepared Te nanowires display strong fluorescence emission in the blue-violet region. The nanowires exhibit a pretty good morphology with the average diameter of ca. 30nm and a length up to micrometer scale. Moreover, a possible transformation mechanism of CdTe nanoparticles into Te nanowires is also discussed.

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of water-soluble Mn-doped ZnOxS1−x quantum dots

A non-cadmium and water-soluble Mn-doped ZnO(x)S(1-x) QDs was synthesized with denatured bovine serum albumin (dBSA) as stabilizer under nitrogen atmosphere, and the as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence (FL) emission spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electronmicroscopy (HRTEM) and Raman spectrum. XRD patterns indicate that the Mn-doped ZnO(x)S(1-x) QDs have a zinc-blende structure, and that manganese emerges in the form of divalent manganese (Mn(2+)) and trivalent manganese (Mn(3+)) (the intermediate of the reaction). The size of Mn-doped ZnO(x)S(1-x) QDs is about 3.2±0.7 nm according to HRTEM imaging. The FL spectra reveal that the Mn-doped ZnO(x)S(1-x) QDs have two distinct emission bands: the defect-related emission and the Mn(2+)-related emission, which exhibit a competing process. A good FL signal of the transition of Mn(2+) ((4)T(1)-(6)A(1)) is observed when the doping amounts are 1.0% and 20% respectively, and the as-prepared solutions are stable for more than 6 months at 4°C. This method has the advantages of good stability and environment-friendly stabilizer, for involving no heavy metal ions or toxic reagents.

Evaluation of biological toxicity of CdTe quantum dots with different coating reagents according to protein expression of engineering Escherichia coli

The results obtained from toxicity assessment of quantum dots (QDs) can be used to establish guidelines for the application of QDs in bioimaging. This paper focused on the design of a novel method to evaluate the toxicity of CdTe QDs using engineering Escherichia coli as a model. The toxicity of mercaptoacetic acid (MPA), glutathione (GSH), and L-cysteine (Cys) capped CdTe QDs was analyzed according to the heterologous protein expression in BL21/DE3, engineering Escherichia coli extensively used for protein expression. The results showed that the MPA-CdTe QDs had more serious toxicity than the other two kinds of CdTe QDs. The microscopic images and SEM micrographs further proved that both the proliferation and the protein expression of engineering Escherichia coli were inhibited after treatment with MPA-CdTe QDs. The proposed method is important to evaluate biological toxicity of both QDs and other nanoparticles.

Probing the interactions of CdTe quantum dots with pseudorabies virus.

Quantum dots (QDs) have become one of the most promising luminescent materials for tracking viral infection in living cells. However, several issues regarding how QDs interact with the virus remain unresolved. Herein, the effects of Glutathione (GSH) capped CdTe QDs on virus were investigated by using pseudorabies virus (PRV) as a model. One-step growth curve and fluorescence colocalization analyses indicate that CdTe QDs inhibit PRV multiplication in the early stage of virus replication cycle by suppressing the invasion, but have no significant effect on the PRV penetration. Fluorescence spectrum analysis indicates that the size of QDs is reduced gradually after the addition of PRV within 30 min. Release of Cd2+ was detected during the interaction of QDs and PRV, resulting in a decreased number of viruses which can infect cells. Further Raman spectra and Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy analyses reveal that the structure of viral surface proteins is altered by CdTe QDs adsorbed on the virus surface, leading to the inhibition of virus replication. This study facilitates an in-depth understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of viruses and provides a basis for QDs-labeled virus research.