Carbon Nanotube/Cyan Fluorescent Protein/Folic Acid Conjugate for in Vitro Cell Imaging
Makaleler > Tam Makale · 2013
Yazarlar: Emine GÜLER ÇELİK, F. Baris Barlas, Canan Özyurt, Serap EVRAN, Dilek ODACI, Suna TİMUR
Nanomaterials: Application & Properties '2013, Uluslararası, 2013
Özet
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in today’s world. Early detection of cancer cells plays important role for efficient therapy of disease. Cell imaging by optical techniques, especially fluorescence imaging, provides facilities in the investigation of cellular processes because of high resolution and sensitivity [1]. There are different fluorescent labeling agents for cell imaging. Alternative to these systems, design of novel fluorescent probes are crucial. The use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for biomedical technology have a great interest due to their unique physical, electrical, thermal and chemical properties. CNTs can act as nanocarrier for a variety of biological molecules, such as proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids and drugs owing to their large surface areas, easy modification and conjugation potential. The targeting molecules which are specific for certain types of cancer cells can easily bind to CNTs, therefore detection of target cell achieve specifically [2].In this study, recombinantly produced cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) was chosen as fluorescent probe for cancer cell imaging. CFP was non-covalently conjugated to acid-treated CNTs. The obtained f-CNT/CFP conjugates were then attached to folic acid. After the characterization, the application potential of the obtained bioconjugates was investigated using HeLa cell line and A549 cell line which were chosen as model cells. In vitro fluorescence microscope images show that these conjugates can be used as an efficient fluorescent probe for targeting and imaging of folic acid over expressed cancer cells.