Abstract
The effect of Cu2+ ions on aggregation behaviors of poly (l-glutamic acid) (PLGA)-functionalized Au nanoparticles was investigated. It was found that the concentration of Cu2+ ions had a significant influence on the folding and the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonding of PLGA and thus the aggregation of the Au nanoparticles. In the absence of Cu2+ ions, the Au nanoparticles underwent reversible pH-dependent aggregation attributed to the folding/unfolding of PLGA and the formation/breakage of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between PLGA molecules. In the presence of low concentration of Cu2+ ions (i.e., 10 μM), folding of PLGA and aggregation of the Au nanoparticles were facilitated due to the charge screening effect of Cu2+ ions, while the reversibility was partly maintained. In the presence of high concentration of Cu2+ ions (i.e., 50 μM), aggregation of the Au nanoparticles was dominated by the coordination interaction between PLGA and Cu2+ ions and the aggregation became irreversible due to the blocking of the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds by Cu2+. These results suggested that Au nanoparticles may be used as a colorimetric probe to monitor the interactions between metal ions and peptides, which are essential for exploring the physiological effect of metals ions.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
