Atropine-functionalized gold nanoparticles binding to muscarinic receptors after passage across the intestinal epithelium.

Gold nanoparticles have a high potential to be a treatment of diseases by their specific drug delivery properties and multivalent receptor stimulation. For the present project, spherical gold nanoparticles were synthesized and functionalized with the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (Au-MUDA-AT NPs). The diameter of the gold core could precisely be controlled by using different synthetic methods and reducing agents resulting in functionalized gold nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 8 to 16 nm.

Multivalent stimulation of β-, but not β-receptors by adrenaline functionalised gold nanoparticles.

In this study, we present a strategy for the synthesis of catecholamine functionalised gold nanoparticles and investigated their multivalent interactions with adrenergic receptors in different biological systems. The catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline represent key examples of adrenergic agonists. We used gold nanoparticles as carriers and functionalised them on their surface with a variety of these neurotransmitter molecules.

High-Yield Tc Labeling of Gold Nanoparticles Carrying Atropine and Adrenaline.

This work focuses on the synthesis, purification, and analytical characterization of novel multifunctional Au NPs radiolabeled with Tc. These mixed-ligand shell Au NPs represent pharmacologically relevant samples for potential application in theragnostics. A ligand using a plain linker with a rather long chain consisting of 10 CH groups and a thiol moiety along with the PADA chelator has been used for both the attachment to the Au NP surface and for the Tc(CO) complexation.