We synthesized protein-coated gold nanoparticles using green and
chemical reduction routes for cellular uptake study. In the current work, we
coated gold-aryl nanoparticles of the type AuNPs-C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>-4-COOH
with BSA, collagen, zein and lysozyme proteins. Both routes were carried out
without phase-transfer catalysts or extraneous stabilizing agents. High
crystallinity of the AuNPs synthesized by the green route can be seen in the transmission
electron microscopy images. <a>Osteosarcoma cancer cells
are malignant bone tumors with abnormal cellular functions. Studies using
MG-63 cells will provide mechanistic suggestions on the details of the
amplification in tumors. </a>We studied the cellular uptake of the bioconjugates
by MG-63 osteosarcoma cells using laser confocal fluorescence microscopy (LCFM)
and flow cytometry. In the LCFM study, BSA-AuNPs was uptaken most efficiently
of all protein-coated gold nanoparticles synthesized by the green route. Zein
and lysozyme coated nanoparticles, though small sizes, prepared by the green
method were not efficiently uptaken by MG-63. The two nanoparticles are
negatively charged and zein is also a hydrophobic coat. The difference in
hydrophobicity and charge might have affected the internalization. All of those
coated nanoparticles that were efficiently uptaken can potentially be used as
diagnostic and therapeutic agents for osteosarcoma.
Protein-Coated Aryl Modified Gold Nanoparticles for Cellular Uptake Study by Osteosarcoma Cancer Cells
