Cited by 80Quantum Dots Synthesis And PropertiesFullerene Chemistry and ApplicationsAdvanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques

Quantum Dot–Peptide–Fullerene Bioconjugates for Visualization of in Vitro and in Vivo Cellular Membrane Potential

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Nag, Okhil K., Stewart, Michael H., Deschamps, Jeffrey R., Susumu, Kimihiro, Oh, Eunkeu, Tsytsarev, Vassiliy, Tang, Qinggong, Efros, Alexander L. +13 more·2017·ACS Nano

Abstract

We report the development of a quantum dot (QD)–peptide–fullerene (C 60 ) electron transfer (ET)-based nanobioconjugate for the visualization of membrane potential in living cells. The bioconjugate is composed of (1) a central QD electron donor, (2) a membrane-inserting peptidyl linker, and (3) a C 60 electron acceptor. The photoexcited QD donor engages in ET with the C 60 acceptor, resulting in quenching of QD photoluminescence (PL) that tracks positively with the number of C 60 moieties arrayed around the QD. The nature of the QD-capping ligand also modulates the quenching efficiency; a neutral ligand coating facilitates greater QD quenching than a negatively charged carboxylated ligand. Steady-state photophysical characterization confirms an ET-driven process between the donor–acceptor pair. When introduced to cells, the amphiphilic QD–peptide–C 60 bioconjugate labels the plasma membrane by insertion of the peptide–C 60 portion into the hydrophobic bilayer, while the hydrophilic QD sits on the exofacial side of the membrane. Depolarization of cellular membrane potential augments the ET process, which is manifested as further quenching of QD PL. We demonstrate in HeLa cells, PC12 cells, and primary cortical neurons significant QD PL quenching (Δ F / F 0 of 2–20% depending on the QD–C 60 separation distance) in response to membrane depolarization with KCl. Further, we show the ability to use the QD–peptide–C 60 probe in combination with conventional voltage-sensitive dyes (VSDs) for simultaneous two-channel imaging of membrane potential. In in vivo imaging of cortical electrical stimulation, the optical response of the optimal QD–peptide–C 60 configuration exhibits temporal responsivity to electrical stimulation similar to that of VSDs. Notably, however, the QD–peptide–C 60 construct displays 20- to 40-fold greater Δ F / F 0 than VSDs. The tractable nature of the QD–peptide–C 60 system offers the advantages of ease of assembly, large Δ F / F 0, enhanced photostability, and high throughput without the need for complicated organic synthesis or genetic engineering, respectively, that is required of traditional VSDs and fluorescent protein constructs.

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  • Quantum dot fullerenes have been employed for in vitro and in vivo cellular membrane potential measurements.

    “For example, quantum dot fullerenes have been employed for in vitro and in vivo cellular membrane potential measurements”

    From Human Brain/Cloud Interface (2019) · cites this paper as Nag et al., 2017

  • Quantum dots can function as voltage-sensitive probes for real-time visualization of cellular membrane potential in neurons.

    “For example, one recent study has found that quantum dots can function as voltage-sensitive probes for real-time visualization of cellular membrane potential in neurons (Nag et al., 2017).”

    From Human Brain/Cloud Interface (2019) · cites this paper as Nag et al., 2017

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [79]Liu LP Li SC Goto NK Deber CM Threshold Hydrophobicity Dictates Helical Conformations of Peptides in Membrane Environments Biopolymers 1996 39 465 470 8756523
  2. [85]Loew LM Design and Use of Organic Voltage Sensitive Dyes Membrane Potential Imaging in the Nervous System: Methods and Applications Canepari M Zecevic D Springer New York New York, NY 2011 13 23

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Authors
Nag, O. K., Stewart, M. H., Deschamps, J. R., Susumu, K., Oh, E., Tsytsarev, V., Tang, Q., Efros, A. L., Vaxenburg, R., Black, B. J., Chen, Y., O’Shaughnessy, T. J., North, S. H., Field, L. D., Dawson, P. E., Pancrazio, J. J., Medintz, I. L., Chen, Y., Erzurumlu, R. S., Huston, A. L., & Delehanty, J. B.
Affiliations
  • United States Naval Research Laboratory (US)
  • Sotera Defense Solutions (United States) (US)
  • University of Maryland, Baltimore (US)
  • University of Maryland, College Park (US)
  • George Mason University (US)
  • The University of Texas at Dallas (US)
  • Scripps Research Institute (US)
Corresponding author
Delehanty, James B.
Venue
ACS Nano
Published
2017-05-30
Volume
11
Issue
6
Pages
5598-5613
ISSN
  • 1936-0851 (ISSN-L)
  • 1936-086X
OpenAlex
W2614288870
Cited by
80
References
86
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 2
FWCI
5.08
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • ACS Nano (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01 NS084818)
  • U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (MA041-06-41-4943, MA041-06-41-T008-15)
  • Office of Naval Research (0001416WX01849)
  • American Society for Engineering Education
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Quantum Dots Synthesis And Properties
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Organic Chemistry › Fullerene Chemistry and Applications
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
Keywords
quantum dots, C60, peptide bioconjugates, membrane potential imaging, electron transfer, photoluminescence quenching, membrane depolarization, voltage-sensitive dyes, photostability, HeLa cells, PC12 cells, cortical neurons, nanobioconjugates
MeSH terms
Amino Acid Sequence, Animals, Brain, Female, HeLa Cells, Humans, Male, Membrane Potentials, Microscopy, Fluorescence, Peptides, Spectrometry, Fluorescence, PC12 Cells, Fullerenes, Quantum Dots, Mice, Rats, Optical Imaging

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