Gold nanoparticles’ blocking effect on UV-induced damage to human serum albumin

DOI: 10.1007/s11051-012-1412-5

Authors: Luigi Calzolai (European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection) , Stefania Laera (European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection) , Giacomo Ceccone (European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection) , Douglas Gilliland (European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection) , Rohanah Hussain (Diamond Light Source) , Giuliano Siligardi (Diamond Light Source) , Francois Rossi (European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Journal Of Nanoparticle Research , VOL 15 (1)

State: Published (Approved)
Published: January 2013
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 7968

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation can cause the unfolding and destabilization of proteins. By using high energy photons from a synchrotron radiation source, we show that the UV-induced destabilization of human serum albumin (HSA) can be detected and monitored by measuring the circular dichroism spectrum of the protein. The high flux radiation source damages the HSA protein by causing a partial unfolding of the protein and a significant reduction in the amount of its secondary structure. Gold nanoparticles can effectively stop this UV-induced unfolding of HSA caused by synchrotron radiation. These phenomena could offer interesting applications to protect HSA protein from UV-induced damage and provide an alternative method to measure the relative stability of HSA.

Journal Keywords: UV damage; Protein unfolding; Gold nanoparticles; Synchrotron radiation; Circular dichroism

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials, Technique Development, Materials


Instruments: B23-Circular Dichroism

Other Facilities: No

Added On: 22/01/2013 10:52

Discipline Tags:

Technique Development - Life Sciences & Biotech Materials Science Nanoscience/Nanotechnology Biophysics Life Sciences & Biotech

Technical Tags:

Spectroscopy Circular Dichroism (CD)