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DTT–Au NCs Interact with DNA to Form Raspberry‐Like Particles
Author(s) -
Zhang Lixia,
Li Zhenhua,
Jing Jiangbo,
Ding Han,
Chen Zhijun
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
particle and particle systems characterization
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.877
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1521-4117
pISSN - 0934-0866
DOI - 10.1002/ppsc.201800517
Subject(s) - nanoclusters , dithiothreitol , chemistry , supramolecular chemistry , nanomaterials , dna , biocompatibility , aqueous solution , aptamer , conjugated system , nanotechnology , combinatorial chemistry , materials science , biochemistry , enzyme , microbiology and biotechnology , organic chemistry , molecule , biology , polymer
Noble metal nanoclusters (NCs) have emerged as intriguing nanomaterials with widespread interest. Previously, it was shown that dithiothreitol (DTT)‐conjugated gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) respond to copper ions in aqueous solution. Here, it is shown that these DTT–Au NCs can interact with DNA by forming raspberry‐like particles. The raspberry‐like structures protect the capped DNA from enzymatic attack and show excellent biocompatibility. Moreover, these supramolecular complexes cross the plasma membrane of yeast cells and express green fluorescent protein encoded by the DNA, suggesting that DTT–Au NCs can serve as an efficient carrier for gene delivery.