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Monodisperse Magnetite Nanoparticles Coupled with Nuclear Localization Signal Peptide for Cell‐Nucleus Targeting
Author(s) -
Xu Chenjie,
Xie Jin,
Kohler Nathan,
Walsh Edward G.,
Chin Y. Eugene,
Sun Shouheng
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
chemistry – an asian journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.18
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1861-471X
pISSN - 1861-4728
DOI - 10.1002/asia.200700301
Subject(s) - nanoparticle , nuclear localization sequence , hela , magnetic nanoparticles , cytoplasm , dispersity , superparamagnetism , biophysics , surface modification , materials science , nucleus , nanotechnology , cell , magnetic hyperthermia , chemistry , drug delivery , nuclear magnetic resonance , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , magnetic field , biology , physics , magnetization , quantum mechanics , polymer chemistry
Functionalization of monodisperse superparamagnetic magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles for cell specific targeting is crucial for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. Targeted magnetic nanoparticles can be used to enhance the tissue contrast in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to improve the efficiency in anticancer drug delivery, and to eliminate tumor cells by magnetic fluid hyperthermia. Herein we report the nucleus‐targeting Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles functionalized with protein and nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide. These NLS‐coated nanoparticles were introduced into the HeLa cell cytoplasm and nucleus, where the particles were monodispersed and non‐aggregated. The success of labeling was examined and identified by fluorescence microscopy and MRI. The work demonstrates that monodisperse magnetic nanoparticles can be readily functionalized and stabilized for potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications.