Reversible pH lability of cross-linked vault nanocapsules

Nano Lett. 2008 Oct;8(10):3510-5. doi: 10.1021/nl080536z. Epub 2008 Sep 20.

Abstract

Vaults are ubiquitous, self-assembled protein nanocapsules with dimension in the sub-100 nm range that are conserved across diverse phyla from worms to humans. Their normal presence in humans at a copy number of over 10,000/cell makes them attractive as potential drug delivery vehicles. Toward this goal, bifunctional amine-reactive reagents are shown to be useful for the reversible cross-linking of recombinant vaults such that they may be closed and opened in a controllable manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amines / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Biotechnology / methods
  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / methods
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Electrons
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Models, Chemical
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanocapsules / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*

Substances

  • Amines
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Nanocapsules