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The Combined Use of Gold Nanoparticles and Infrared Radiation Enables Cytosolic Protein Delivery
Author(s) -
Garcia Josep,
FernándezPradas J. Marcos,
Lladó Anna,
Serra Pere,
Zalvidea Dobryna,
Kogan Marcelo J.,
Giralt Ernest,
SánchezNavarro Macarena
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.202005000
Subject(s) - cytosol , internalization , nanorod , intracellular , biophysics , chemistry , nanotechnology , peptide , photothermal therapy , nanoparticle , cell , biochemistry , materials science , enzyme , biology
Cytosolic protein delivery remains elusive. The inability of most proteins to cross the cellular membrane is a huge hurdle. Here we explore the unique photothermal properties of gold nanorods (AuNRs) to trigger cytosolic delivery of proteins. Both partners, protein and AuNRs, are modified with a protease‐resistant cell‐penetrating peptide with nuclear targeting properties to induce internalization. Once internalized, spatiotemporal control of protein release is achieved by near‐infrared laser irradiation in the safe second biological window. Importantly, catalytic amounts of AuNRs are sufficient to trigger cytosolic protein delivery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that AuNRs with their maximum of absorption in the second biological window are used to deliver proteins into the intracellular space. This strategy represents a powerful tool for the cytosolic delivery of virtually any class of protein.