Thermodynamic insights into interaction of protein coated gold nanoclusters with DNA and influence of coating on drug binding

Publication date: Available online 24 March 2019Source: Journal of Molecular LiquidsAuthor(s): Achal Mukhija, Nand KishoreAbstractBiocompatibility and ease of surface modification make gold nanoclusters potential to be used in nanomedicine and revolutionizing cancer therapy. Low solubility and bioavailability of drug limits the use of conventional drug administrative methods and hence the need for drug delivery vehicles arises. Different drug delivery vehicles have been used in the past but usually, the information is limited to qualitative in nature. Here, we have reported quantitative insights into interaction of human serum albumin coated gold nanoclusters with anticancer drugs cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil and hydroxyurea, and further interaction of drug-nanoclusters complexes with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Calorimetry, in combination with spectroscopy has been used to characterize HSA coated gold nanoclusters and to obtain thermodynamic parameters associated with interaction of drug with nanoclusters and drug-nanoclusters complex with DNA. Binding of drugs with HSA coated gold nanoclusters has been compared with binding of drugs with free HSA. We found, HSA coated gold nanocluster show better binding efficiency than free HSA due to the minor conformational changes in HSA upon coating. Binding of HSA coated gold nanoclusters has also been studied with DNA to understand the effect of nanocluster binding upon conformation of DNA. Thermodynamic signatures for interacti...
Source: Journal of Molecular Liquids - Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research