One-pot single step to label microtubule with MPA-capped CdTe quantum dots

Autor(es)

Oliveira, Daniel ^[1] ; de Melo, Fernando Menegatti ^[1] ; Toma, Henrique E. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Micron; v. 108, p. 19-23, MAY 2018.
• Citações Web of Science: 1

Resumo

The kinesin-microtubule pair has attracted much attention in recent years due to their promising use in the development of synthetic nanotransport machines. One of the challenges to study such system is how to observe the motility of either kinesin or microtubule. The usual technique for observation of the molecular machinery pair is by fluorescence microscopy, where fluorescent probes are bound to one, or both species, through a biotin-avidin linker. Here, the use of mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) capped cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots (QDs) as a direct fluorescent labeling agent to microtubule biomolecules is reported. QDs are able to not only bind to microtubules in vitro, but also to fluorescently label them in the red spectral region. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) studies showed the binding of synthesized QDs to microtubules, while quantum dots-labeled microtubules were successfully visualized with fluorescence microscopy. It is believed QDs adsorbs to the microtubule surface mainly through the coordination of Cd with histidine, cysteine and methionine residues, as well as through interactions of the nanocrystal's carboxylated surface with free amino groups on microtubules. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 13/24725-4 - Química supramolecular e nanotecnologia
• Beneficiário: Henrique Eisi Toma
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 15/01271-3 - Desenvolvimento de Máquinas Moleculares Baseadas na Proteína Motora Cinesina
• Beneficiário: Daniel Camargo de Oliveira
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado