The utility of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is limited by a poor understanding of their biological interface.  Like any surface property, proteins at the interface of AgNPs influence cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and biodistribution.  With a focus upon on the dynamic role of size-dependent surface oxidation in altering the biological interface, we explore three major mechanisms of Cu-metalloprotein interaction with AgNPs.  The role of metalloproteins in AgNP surface oxidation and dissolution will be discussed, including assessment of the role of O2(g) and direct protein-AgNP interaction on AgNP dissolution.  In addition, preliminary data will be presented demonstrating the impact of AgNP curvature and surface oxidation on Cu metalloprotein unfolding and aggregation.  These structural studies have highlighted the key roles of the Ag-thiol bond as well as nonspecific chemiabsorption.  With a fundamental understanding of silver NP-Cu metalloprotein interactions, dominant physicochemical properties at the silver NP biological interface can be predicted and controlled to further applications in nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine.

Characterization of Cu-metalloproteins at biological interface of silver nanoparticles

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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