Insulin-Directed Synthesis of Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters: Preservation of Insulin Bioactivity and Versatility in Cell Imaging

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie (International ed.) Vol. 50; no. 31; pp. 7056 - 7060
• Main Authors: Liu, Chien-Liang, Wu, Hung-Tsung, Hsiao, Yi-Hsuan, Lai, Chih-Wei, Shih, Chun-Wei, Peng, Yung-Kang, Tang, Kuo-Chun, Chang, Hsing-Wei, Chien, Yun-Chen, Hsiao, Jong-Kai, Cheng, Juei-Tang, Chou, Pi-Tai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 25.07.2011; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Edition: International ed. in English
• Subjects: Animals; biomaterials; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Cell Line; Cell Membrane Permeability; fluorescence; gold; Gold - chemistry; Hypoglycemic Agents - chemistry; Hypoglycemic Agents - pharmacokinetics; Hypoglycemic Agents - therapeutic use; imaging agents; Insulin - chemistry; Insulin - pharmacokinetics; Insulin - therapeutic use; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Myoblasts - cytology; nanostructures; Nanostructures - chemistry; Nanostructures - ultrastructure; Rats; Rats, Wistar
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201100299

Go for gold: As‐prepared insulin–Au nanoclusters (NCs) show intense red fluorescence, excellent biocompatibility, and preservation of natural insulin bioactivity in lowering the blood‐glucose level. Their versatility in applications is demonstrated by fluorescence imaging, X‐ray computed tomography, and insulin–inhibitor interactions (see picture; IDE=insulin‐degrading enzyme).