Endogenous H < sub > 2 < /sub > S-activated Ag nanoparticles embedded in programmed DNA-cubes for specific visualization of colorectal cancer cells

Chem Commun (Camb). 2024 Apr 17. doi: 10.1039/d4cc00085d. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTTo avoid the unexpected aggregation and reduce the cytotoxicity of nanomaterials as optical probes in cell imaging applications, we propose a programmed DNA-cube as a carrier for silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to construct a specific hydrogen sulfide (H2S) responsive platform (Ag NP@DNA-cube) for diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC) in this study. The DNA-cube maintains good dispersion of Ag NPs while providing excellent biocompatibility. Based on the characteristic overexpression of endogenous H2S in CRC cells, the Ag NPs are etched by H2S within target cells into silver sulfide quantum dots, thereby selectively illuminating the target cells. The Ag NP@DNA-cube exhibits a specific fluorescence response to CRC cells and achieves satisfactory imaging.PMID:38628069 | DOI:10.1039/d4cc00085d
Source: Chemical Communications - Category: Chemistry Authors: Source Type: research