Unique Boron Carbide Nanoparticle Nanobio Interface: Effects on Protein-RNA Interactions and 3-D Spheroid Metastatic Phenotype.

Aim: The effect of boron carbide (B4C) nanoparticles (NP) on protein-RNA complexes and metastatic phenotype of 3-D tumor spheroids was investigated.

Materials And Methods: Characterization was performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential (ZP), 2-dimensional fluorescence difference spectroscopy (2-D FDS), gel electrophoresis, MTT, haemolysis and 3-D tumor spheroid assays.

Results: TEM showed NP were homogenous (≤50 nm) and spherical in shape. Zeta potential (ζ) of NP (-43.3) shifted upon protein:RNA interaction (+26.9). Protein:RNA complex interaction with NP was confirmed by 2-D FDS, demonstrating excitation/emission blue shift and lowered fluorescence intensity, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), where presence of B4C ablated visualization of the complex. B4C NP cytotoxicity was less than zinc oxide by MTT assay, protected haemolysis and effected 3-D tumor spheroid metastatic phenotype.

Conclusion: Nanobio interface of B4C nanoparticles is unique and its anticancer potential may be mediated by altering protein and RNA interactions.