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Metallothioneins Initiate Semiconducting Nanoparticle Cellular Toxicity
Author(s) -
Aryal Baikuntha P.,
Neupane Kosh P.,
Sandros Marinella G.,
Benson David E.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.200500527
Subject(s) - nanoparticle , toxicity , nanotoxicology , cysteine , nanotechnology , chemistry , metallothionein , materials science , biophysics , biochemistry , zinc , enzyme , biology , organic chemistry
The toxicity of CdSe nanoparticles is mediated by metallothioneins (MTs), which are ubiquitous and cysteine‐rich. Surface Cd 2+ ions are depleted from thiocarboxylate‐capped CdSe nanoparticles by recombinant MT‐based peptides (see figure), while surface Zn 2+ ion depletion from ZnS‐coated CdSe nanoparticles is more difficult. Due to the overall cellular expression and antioxidant roles for MT, a model for MT‐mediated CdSe nanoparticle toxicity is proposed.