A carbon nanotube optical sensor reports nuclear entry via a noncanonical pathway Journal Article


Authors: Budhathoki-Uprety, J.; Langenbacher, R. E.; Jena, P. V.; Roxbury, D.; Heller, D. A.
Article Title: A carbon nanotube optical sensor reports nuclear entry via a noncanonical pathway
Abstract: Single-walled carbon nanotubes are of interest in biomedicine for imaging and molecular sensing applications and as shuttles for various cargos such as chemotherapeutic drugs, peptides, proteins, and oligonucleotides. Carbon nanotube surface chemistry can be modulated for subcellular targeting while preserving photoluminescence for label-free visualization in complex biological environments, making them attractive materials for such studies. The cell nucleus is a potential target for many pathologies including cancer and infectious diseases. Understanding mechanisms of nanomaterial delivery to the nucleus may facilitate diagnostics, drug development, and gene-editing tools. Currently, there are no systematic studies to understand how these nanomaterials gain access to the nucleus. Herein, we developed a carbon nanotube based hybrid material that elucidate a distinct mechanism of nuclear translocation of a nanomaterial in cultured cells. We developed a nuclear-targeted probe via cloaking photoluminescent single-walled carbon nanotubes in a guanidinium-functionalized helical polycarbodiimide. We found that the nuclear entry of the nanotubes was mediated by the import receptor importin β without the aid of importin α and not by the more common importin α/β pathway. Additionally, the nanotube photoluminescence exhibited distinct red-shifting upon entry to the nucleus, potentially functioning as a reporter of the importin β-mediated nuclear transport process. This work delineates a noncanonical mechanism for nanomaterial delivery to the nucleus and provides a reporter for the study of nucleus-related pathologies. © 2017 American Chemical Society.
Keywords: proteins; pathology; diagnosis; spectroscopy; diseases; cervical cancer; oligonucleotides; infrared devices; carbon nanotubes; nanotubes; single-walled carbon nanotubes (swcn); nuclear pore complex; photoluminescence; cervical cancers; nuclear pore complexes; biosensor; biological materials; surface chemistry; biosensors; nanostructured materials; yarn; hybrid materials; hyperspectral imaging; near-infrared sensors; helical polymer; near-infrared sensor; polycation; infrared detectors; helical polymers; polycations
Journal Title: ACS Nano
Volume: 11
Issue: 4
ISSN: 1936-0851
Publisher: American Chemical Society  
Date Published: 2017-04-25
Start Page: 3875
End Page: 3882
Language: English
DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b00176
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 28398031
PMCID: PMC5511501
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 2 June 2017 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Daniel Alan Heller
    115 Heller
  2. Prakrit Vaibhav Jena
    27 Jena