Authors: Kalangi, Suresh K.; Sathyavathi, R.; Rao, D. Narayana; Pallu, Reddanna

Source: Journal of Bionanoscience, Volume 6, Number 1, June 2012 , pp. 17-22(6)

Publisher: American Scientific Publishers

Abstract:

Development of a single molecule tracing methods in vitro and in vivo is a challenging task and it has attracted the attention of scientists all over the world. Here we made an attempt to develop a system to trace a single molecule of 5-fluorouracil (an anti cancer agent) by conjugating it to fluorescent nano crystals called Quantum dots (QDs). In the present work we are reporting for the first time the conjugation of an anti-cancer drug, 5-fluorouracil which has specificity to enter nucleus, to CdTe QDs and analyzed their localization in breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, by confocal microscopy. 3-Mercapto propionic acid (3-MPA) capped CdTe QDs were prepared and characterized. 5-fluorouracil having the -NH (Imide) functional group is thought to bonded with -COOH of 3-MPA in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC). The conjugation is confirmed by absorbance and emission properties of conjugates. FTIR spectra analysis has given clear evidence that free functional groups on 5-fluorouracil are bonded with NH₂ group of EDC to form amide bond in comparison to unconjugated QDs and the drug. This forms an indirect evidence for QDs and drug conjugation. For analyzing the localization of QD-5-fluorouracil conjugates, breast cancer cells (MCF-7), were incubated for 12, 24 and 48 h. Cells were also incubated with DAPI, a nuclear stain, to have clear borders of nucleus. These studies clearly revealed an entry of QD-drug conjugates in to the nucleus of cancer cells.

Keywords: 5-FLUOROURACIL; SEMICONDUCTOR QUANTUM DOTS; CDTE; DRUG CONJUGATES; SINGLE; MOLECULE TRACING

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1166/jbns.2012.1069

Publication date: 2012-06-01

More about this publication?

• Bionanoscience attempts to harness various functions of biological macromolecules and integrate them with engineering for technological applications. It is based on a bottom-up approach and encompasses structural biology, biomacromolecular engineering, material science, and engineering, extending the horizon of material science. The journal aims at publication of (i) Letters (ii) Reviews (3) Concepts (4) Rapid communications (5) Research papers (6) Book reviews (7) Conference announcements in the interface between chemistry, physics, biology, material science, and technology. The use of biological macromolecules as sensors, biomaterials, information storage devices, biomolecular arrays, molecular machines is significantly increasing. The traditional disciplines of chemistry, physics, and biology are overlapping and coalescing with nanoscale science and technology. Currently research in this area is scattered in different journals and this journal seeks to bring them under a single umbrella to ensure highest quality peer-reviewed research for rapid dissemination in areas that are in the forefront of science and technology which is witnessing phenomenal and accelerated growth.
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