Cobalt oxide nanoparticles mediate tau denaturation and cytotoxicity against PC-12 cell line.

It has not been well explored how NPs may induce some adverse effects on the biological systems. In this research, the interaction of cobalt oxide NPs (CoO NPs) with tau protein and PC-12 cell line, as nervous system models, was investigated with several approaches including fluorescence spectroscopy, CD spectroscopy, docking study, MTT, LDH, AO/EB dual staining, and flow cytometry assays. Fluorescence investigation displayed that CoO NPs spontaneously mediate the formation of a static complex with tau protein through hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces.