Web Release Date: April 23,
Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Immunological Properties of Carbon Nanotubes Functionalized with Peptides
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Contribution from the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, UPR 9021 CNRS, 67084 Strasbourg, France, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy, and Faculty of Chemistry, Louis Pasteur University, 67008 Strasbourg, France
Received January 26, 2003
Abstract:
Carbon nanotubes (NTs) are becoming highly attractive molecules for applications in medicinal chemistry. The main problem of insolubility in aqueous media has been solved by developing a synthetic protocol that allows highly water-soluble carbon NTs to be obtained. As a result, biologically active peptides can be easily linked through a stable covalent bond to carbon NTs. We have demonstrated that a bound peptide from the foot-and-mouth disease virus, corresponding to the 141-159 region of the viral envelope protein VP1, retained the structural integrity and was recognized by monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. In addition, this peptide-NT conjugate is immunogenic, eliciting antibody responses of the right specificity. Such a system could be greatly advantageous for diagnostic purposes and could find future applications in vaccine delivery.
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