Study the interaction between CdTe@glutathione and human serum albumin

• Published in: Journal of luminescence Vol. 135; pp. 335 - 338
• Main Authors: Yang, Qing, Zhou, Xi-min, Zhu, Yi-shuo, Chen, Xing-guo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.03.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Atomic and molecular physics; CdTe@GSH QDs; Exact sciences and technology; Fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra; Fluorescence and phosphorescence; radiationless transitions, quenching (intersystem crossing, internal conversion); Fluorescence spectroscopy; Human serum albumin (HSA); Molecular properties and interactions with photons; Physics; Fluorescence spectroscopy; Human serum albumin (HSA); CdTe@GSH QDs; Proteins; Fluorescence spectrum; Semiconductor quantum dots; Aqueous solutions; Cadmium tellurides; Molecular interaction; Serum albumin; Glutathione
• ISSN: 0022-2313; 1872-7883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2012.09.015

In this paper, glutathione (GSH) modified CdTe quantum dots (CdTe@GSH QDs) were synthesized in an aqueous solution. Then, the binding of the CdTe@GSH QDs to human serum albumin (HSA) was studied using the fluorescence spectroscopy. The quenching mechanism was investigated in terms of the association constants and basic thermodynamic parameters. The fluorescence data revealed that CdTe@GSH QDs could quench the intrinsic fluorescence of human serum albumin by a static quenching mechanism. Furthermore, alteration of the secondary protein structure in the presence of the QDs was confirmed by synchronous fluorescence spectra. ► In this paper, the binding of the CdTe@GSH QDs to human serum albumin (HSA) was studied using a fluorescence spectroscopy. ► The quenching mechanism was investigated in terms of the association constants and basic thermodynamic parameters. ► Furthermore, alteration of the secondary protein structure in the presence of the QDs was confirmed by synchronous fluorescence spectra. ► The research can help us assess biological toxicity of QDs and further expand the application scope of QDs.