Development of quantum dots (QDs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the selective labeling of P2Y6 receptor expressing cells

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Anna Junker
• Subject Area: Biological and Biomimetic Chemistry
• Term: from 2014 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 257672557

Development of quantum dots (QDs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the selective labeling of P2Y6 receptor expressing cells P2Y6 receptors belong to the subfamily of Gq-coupled, P2Y1-like receptors. P2Y6 receptors are expressed in the lung, heart, aorta, gastrointestinal tract, spleen, placenta, thymus and brain. Modulation of P2Y6 receptors was suggested to be useful for the treatment of inflammation, ocular hypertension and diabetes. The proposed program is intended to develop methods for the selective labeling of P2Y6 receptor expressing cells by quantum dots (QDs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in order to create new assay and imaging possibilities. Pharmacological characterization of the P2Y6 receptors is often limited due to the lack of a radioligand binding assay. QDs and AuNPs bearing P2Y6 receptor selective ligands could offer a general approach to image P2Y6 receptors as tracers in receptor binding or histochemical experiments, for drug screening and research. P2Y6 agonist functionalized CdSe/ZnS-PAMAM QDs and PEG-linked AuNPs represent the focus of this project. The investigation of various P2Y6 receptor agonists, bearing an O-atom or CH2-group between the alpha and the beta phosphate will be performed. The investigation of a suitable spacer for the binding of the P2Y6 receptor selective agonists to the CdSe/ZnS-PAMAM QDs or to the PEG-linked AuNPs is crucial for retaining of P2Y6 receptor affinity of the nanoparticles. Spacers with different length and functionalities will be synthesized. Besides P2Y6 receptor affinity, several physicochemical parameters such as average number of ligands per nanoparticle, fluorescent quantum yield, UV visible light absorbance spectrum, and water solubility will be investigated.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. Kenneth A. Jacobson