Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Vincent M Rotello

Publications and source records attributed to Vincent M Rotello.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Core-controlled polymorphism in virus-like particles.

This study concerns the self-assembly of virus-like particles (VLPs) composed of an icosahedral virus protein coat encapsulating a functionalized spherical nanoparticle core. The recent development of efficient methods for VLP self-assembly has opened the way to structural studies. Using electron microscopy with image reconstruction, the structures of several VLPs obtained from brome mosaic virus capsid proteins and gold nanoparticles were elucidated. Varying the gold core diameter provides control over the capsid structure. The number of subunits required for a complete capsid increases with the core diameter. The packaging efficiency is a function of the number of capsid protein subunits per gold nanoparticle. VLPs of varying diameters were found to resemble to three classes of viral particles found in cells (T=1, 2, and 3). As a consequence of their regularity, VLPs form three-dimensional crystals under the same conditions as the wild-type virus. The crystals represent a form of metallodielectric material that exhibits optical properties influenced by multipolar plasmonic coupling.

Crystallization↗

Chiral translation and cooperative self-assembly of discrete helical structures using molecular recognition dyads.

Complementary diaminopyridine (DAP) and flavin derivatives self-assemble into discrete helically stacked tetrads in hydrocarbon solvents. The self-assembled structure was demonstrated through induced circular dichroism using DAPs with chiral side-chains and flavin with achiral side-chains. Flavin derivatives with chiral side-chains were synthesized; cooperativity in the self-assembly was established through circular dichroism (CD) profiles and melting curves. It was found that placing stereocenters in both recognition units resulted in a strong bisignated profile and enhancement of complex stability, indicative of cooperative self-assembly.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy↗

Modulation of the catalytic behavior of alpha-chymotrypsin at monolayer-protected nanoparticle surfaces.

Amino-acid-functionalized gold clusters modulate the catalytic behavior of alpha-chymotrypsin (ChT) toward cationic, neutral, and anionic substrates. Kinetic studies reveal that the substrate specificity (k(cat)/K(M)) of ChT-nanoparticle complexes increases by approximately 3-fold for the cationic substrate but decreases by 95% for the anionic substrate as compared with that of free ChT, providing enhanced substrate selectivity. Concurrently, the catalytic constants (k(cat)) of ChT show slight augmentation for the cationic substrate and significant attenuation for the anionic substrate in the presence of amino-acid-functionalized nanoparticles. The amino acid monolayer on the nanoparticle is proposed to control both the capture of substrate by the active site and release of product through electrostatic interactions, leading to the observed substrate specificities and catalytic constants.

Catalysis↗

The tuneable complexation of gold nanoparticles.

Mixed monolayer protected gold nanoparticles have been fabricated incorporating 1,5-dialkyloxynaphthalene moieties that are capable of forming complexes with the tetracationic cyclophane cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene); electrochemical reduction of the cyclophane or the addition of tetrathiafulvalene results in disassembly of the complexes.

Journal Article↗

Mixed monolayer-protected gold nanoclusters as selective peptide extraction agents for MALDI-MS analysis.

Cationic and anionic nanoparticles selectively target peptides with low and high isoelectric points, respectively. Additionally, their high surface area-to-volume ratios make these nanoparticles (approximately 2-nm core diameter) very efficient extraction and concentration agents. Upon extraction, the peptide-bound nanoparticles can be analyzed by MALDI-MS to provide highly sensitive detection of the targeted peptides. We demonstrate that MALDI-MS can detect peptide concentrations as low as 500 pM from 250-microL solutions using these nanoparticle scaffolds as extraction and concentration agents.

Gold↗

Flavin-based [2]rotaxanes.

[reaction: see text] We report the synthesis of flavin-stoppered hydrogen bonded [2]rotaxanes 1 and 2. We also report the electrochemically controllable properties of these systems in solution, and for derivative 2, as an electropolymerized thin film.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

Recognition-directed orthogonal self-assembly of polymers and nanoparticles on patterned surfaces.

We demonstrate the patterning of silica substrates with thymine (Thy-PS) and positively charged N-methylpyridinium (PVMP) polymers using photolithography and the subsequent orthogonal modification of these surfaces using diaminopyridine-functionalized polystyrene (DAP-PS) and carboxylate-derivatized CdSe/ZnS core-shell nanoparticles (COO-NP) through diamidopyridine-thymine three-point hydrogen bonding and pyridinium-carboxylate electrostatic interactions, respectively. This two-component orthogonal surface modification was accomplished in a self-sorting, single-step fashion, providing a versatile tool for the rapid and efficient creation of complex materials.

Cadmium Compounds↗

Glutathione-mediated delivery and release using monolayer protected nanoparticle carriers.

We demonstrate here the effective delivery of a dye payload into cells using 2-nm core gold nanoparticles, with release occurring via place exchange of glutathione onto the particle surface. In vitro experiments demonstrate effective release of drug analogues upon addition of glutathione. Cell culture experiments show rapid uptake of nanoparticle and effective release of payload. The role of glutathione in the release process was demonstrated through improved payload release upon transient increase in glutathione levels achieved via introduction of glutathione ethyl ester into the cell.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗

Nanoparticle-templated assembly of viral protein cages.

Self-assembly of regular protein surfaces around nanoparticle templates provides a new class of hybrid biomaterials with potential applications in medical imaging and in bioanalytical sensing. We report here the first example of efficiently self-assembled virus-like particles (VLPs) having a brome mosaic virus protein coat and a functionalized gold core. The present study indicates that functionalized gold particles can initiate VLP assembly by mimicking the electrostatic behavior of the nucleic acid component of the native virus. These VLP constructs are symmetric, with the protein stoichiometry and packaging properties indicating similarity to the icosahedral packing of the capsid. Moreover, a pH-induced swelling transition of the VLPs is observed, in direct analogy to the native virus.

Biomimetic Materials↗

Quantum dot encapsulation in viral capsids.

Incorporation of CdSe/ZnS semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) into viral particles provides a new paradigm for the design of intracellular microscopic probes and vectors. Several strategies for the incorporation of QDs into viral capsids were explored; those functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) can be self-assembled into viral particles with minimal release of photoreaction products and enhanced stability against prolonged irradiation.

Capsid↗

Stability of gold nanoparticle-bound DNA toward biological, physical, and chemical agents.

Positively charged trimethylammonium-modified mixed monolayer protected clusters (MMPCs) interact with DNA by complementary electrostatic binding, serving as efficient DNA delivery systems. The stability of gold nanoparticle-bound DNA toward biological, physical, and chemical agents is investigated. The MMPC-bound DNA is efficiently protected from DNAse I digestion and experiences nicking/cleavage-induced morphology changes with higher concentrations of DNAse I. Significant protection of MMPC-bound DNA was also observed in a physical sonication assay. However, the MMPC-bound DNA was found to show enhanced cleavage upon exposure to chemically induced radicals. The latter may indicate that bound DNA is bent and wrapped on the surface of the cationic MMPC.

DNA↗

DNA-binding by functionalized gold nanoparticles: mechanism and structural requirements.

A family of nanoparticles featuring surfaces of varying hydrophobicity was synthesized. The efficiency of DNA-binding was determined, demonstrating in a fivefold modulation in binding a 37-mer DNA strand. Nanoparticle-binding causes a reversible conformational change in the DNA structure, as demonstrated by circular dichroism and fluorescence experiments. Furthermore, the affinity of the nanoparticle for the DNA can be regulated by external agents, though stability of the complex is observed at relatively high ionic strengths.

Circular Dichroism↗