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Mohanty A, Parida A, Raut RK, Behera RK. Ferritin: A Promising Nanoreactor and Nanocarrier for Bionanotechnology. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2022; 2:258-281. [PMID: 37101573 PMCID: PMC10114856 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.2c00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
The essence of bionanotechnology lies in the application of nanotechnology/nanomaterials to solve the biological problems. Quantum dots and nanoparticles hold potential biomedical applications, but their inherent problems such as low solubility and associated toxicity due to their interactions at nonspecific target sites is a major concern. The self-assembled, thermostable, ferritin protein nanocages possessing natural iron scavenging ability have emerged as a potential solution to all the above-mentioned problems by acting as nanoreactor and nanocarrier. Ferritins, the cellular iron repositories, are hollow, spherical, symmetric multimeric protein nanocages, which sequester the excess of free Fe(II) and synthesize iron biominerals (Fe2O3·H2O) inside their ∼5-8 nm central cavity. The electrostatics and dynamics of the pore residues not only drives the natural substrate Fe2+ inside ferritin nanocages but also uptakes a set of other metals ions/counterions during in vitro synthesis of nanomaterial. The current review aims to report the recent developments/understanding on ferritin structure (self-assembly, surface/pores electrostatics, metal ion binding sites) and chemistry occurring inside these supramolecular protein cages (protein mediated metal ion uptake and mineralization/nanoparticle formation) along with its surface modification to exploit them for various nanobiotechnological applications. Furthermore, a better understanding of ferritin self-assembly would be highly useful for optimizing the incorporation of nanomaterials via the disassembly/reassembly approach. Several studies have reported the successful engineering of these ferritin protein nanocages in order to utilize them as potential nanoreactor for synthesizing/incorporating nanoparticles and as nanocarrier for delivering imaging agents/drugs at cell specific target sites. Therefore, the combination of nanoscience (nanomaterials) and bioscience (ferritin protein) projects several benefits for various applications ranging from electronics to medicine.
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Beltrán-Gracia E, López-Camacho A, Higuera-Ciapara I, Velázquez-Fernández JB, Vallejo-Cardona AA. Nanomedicine review: clinical developments in liposomal applications. Cancer Nanotechnol 2019. [DOI: 10.1186/s12645-019-0055-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
In recent years, disease treatment has evolved strategies that require increase in pharmaceutical agent’s efficacy and selectivity while decreasing their toxicity in normal tissues. These requirements have led to the development of nanoscale liposome systems for drug release. This review focuses on lipid features, pharmacological properties of liposomal formulations and the clinical studies of their application.
Main body
Several lipids are available, but their properties could affect pharmacological or clinical efficiency of drug formulations. Many liposomal formulations have been developed and are currently on the market. Proper selection of lipid is essential for the pharmacological effect to be improved. Most of the formulations use mainly zwitterionic, cationic or anionic lipids, PEG and/or cholesterol, which have different effects on stability, pharmacokinetics and delivery of the drug formulation. Clinical trials have shown that liposomes are pharmacologically and pharmacokinetically more efficient than drug-alone formulations in treating acute myeloid leukemia, hepatitis A, pain management, ovary, gastric breast and lung cancer, among others.
Conclusion
Liposomal formulations are less toxic than drugs alone and have better pharmacological parameters. Although they seem to be the first choice for drug delivery systems for various diseases, further research about dosage regimen regarding dose and time needs to be carried out.
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Badu-Boateng C, Naftalin RJ. Ascorbate and ferritin interactions: Consequences for iron release in vitro and in vivo and implications for inflammation. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 133:75-87. [PMID: 30268889 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
This review discusses the chemical mechanisms of ascorbate-dependent reduction and solubilization of ferritin's ferric iron core and subsequent release of ferrous iron. The process is accelerated by low concentrations of Fe(II) that increase ferritin's intrinsic ascorbate oxidase activity, hence increasing the rate of ascorbate radical formation. These increased rates of ascorbate oxidation provide reducing equivalents (electrons) to ferritin's core and speed the core reduction rates with subsequent solubilization and release of Fe(II). Ascorbate-dependent solubilization of ferritin's iron core has consequences relating to the interpretation of 59Fe uptake sourced from 59Fe-lebelled holotransferrin into ferritin. Ascorbate-dependent reduction of the ferritin core iron solubility increases the size of ferritin's iron exchangeable pool and hence the rate and amount of exchange uptake of 59Fe into ferritin, whilst simultaneously increasing net iron release rate from ferritin. This may rationalize the inconsistency that ascorbate apparently stabilizes 59Fe ferritin and retards lysosomal ferritinolysis and whole cell 59Fe release, whilst paradoxically increasing the rate of net iron release from ferritin. This capacity of ascorbate and iron to synergise ferritin iron release has pathological significance, as it lowers the concentration at which ascorbate activates ferritin's iron release to within the physiological range (50-250 μM). These effects have relevance to inflammatory pathology and to the pro-oxidant effects of ascorbate in cancer therapy and cell death by ferroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Badu-Boateng
- Kings, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Richard J Naftalin
- Kings, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK
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Lead sulfide quantum dots inside ferritin: synthesis and application to photovoltaics. APPLIED NANOSCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s13204-018-0849-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Rourk CJ. Ferritin and neuromelanin "quantum dot" array structures in dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta and norepinephrine neurons of the locus coeruleus. Biosystems 2018; 171:48-58. [PMID: 30048795 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In this review, the author shows that ferritin has documented quantum dot material properties that have been reported in numerous independent studies, and can enable quantum mechanical electron transport over substantial distances. In addition, neuromelanin is a pi-conjugated polymer, and quantum dot/pi-conjugated polymer combinations have been reported in numerous independent studies to facilitate electron transport for solar photovoltaic and other applications. Both ferritin and neuromelanin are present in large quantities in the dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compactaand the norepinephrine neurons of the locus coeruleus. The unique structure of subgroups of these neurons that have a large number of axon branches and synapses may have evolved to take advantage of this electron transport mechanism, if it is present, such as to coordinate conscious action, or for other purposes. Independent clinical and laboratory studies are also reviewed that corroborate this theory of coordinated action in these neuron groups. Research to validate the theory using charge transport measurements, materials characterization, existing fluorescent probe material and reaction time testing is proposed.
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Olsen CR, Smith TJ, Embley JS, Maxfield JH, Hansen KR, Peterson JR, Henrichsen AM, Erickson SD, Buck DC, Colton JS, Watt RK. Permanganate-based synthesis of manganese oxide nanoparticles in ferritin. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 28:195601. [PMID: 28332483 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa68ae] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This paper investigates the comproportionation reaction of MnII with [Formula: see text] as a route for manganese oxide nanoparticle synthesis in the protein ferritin. We report that [Formula: see text] serves as the electron acceptor and reacts with MnII in the presence of apoferritin to form manganese oxide cores inside the protein shell. Manganese loading into ferritin was studied under acidic, neutral, and basic conditions and the ratios of MnII and permanganate were varied at each pH. The manganese-containing ferritin samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, UV/Vis absorption, and by measuring the band gap energies for each sample. Manganese cores were deposited inside ferritin under both the acidic and basic conditions. All resulting manganese ferritin samples were found to be indirect band gap materials with band gap energies ranging from 1.01 to 1.34 eV. An increased UV/Vis absorption around 370 nm was observed for samples formed under acidic conditions, suggestive of MnO2 formation inside ferritin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron R Olsen
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, United States of America
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Olsen CR, Embley JS, Hansen KR, Henrichsen AM, Peterson JR, Colton JS, Watt RK. Tuning Ferritin's band gap through mixed metal oxide nanoparticle formation. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 28:195604. [PMID: 28332485 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa68b0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study uses the formation of a mixed metal oxide inside ferritin to tune the band gap energy of the ferritin mineral. The mixed metal oxide is composed of both Co and Mn, and is formed by reacting aqueous Co2+ with [Formula: see text] in the presence of apoferritin. Altering the ratio between the two reactants allowed for controlled tuning of the band gap energies. All minerals formed were indirect band gap materials, with indirect band gap energies ranging from 0.52 to 1.30 eV. The direct transitions were also measured, with energy values ranging from 2.71 to 3.11 eV. Tuning the band gap energies of these samples changes the wavelengths absorbed by each mineral, increasing ferritin's potential in solar-energy harvesting. Additionally, the success of using [Formula: see text] in ferritin mineral formation opens the possibility for new mixed metal oxide cores inside ferritin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron R Olsen
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Brigham Young University, Provo UT 84602, United States of America
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Saenz N, Sánchez M, Gálvez N, Carmona F, Arosio P, Dominguez-Vera JM. Insights on the (Auto)Photocatalysis of Ferritin. Inorg Chem 2016; 55:6047-50. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b00547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Saenz
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica
and Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Manu Sánchez
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica
and Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Natividad Gálvez
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica
and Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Fernando Carmona
- Department of Molecular
and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa
11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Paolo Arosio
- Department of Molecular
and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa
11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Jose M. Dominguez-Vera
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica
and Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Erickson SD, Smith TJ, Moses LM, Watt RK, Colton JS. Non-native Co-, Mn-, and Ti-oxyhydroxide nanocrystals in ferritin for high efficiency solar energy conversion. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2015; 26:015703. [PMID: 25490522 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/26/1/015703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Quantum dot solar cells seek to surpass the solar energy conversion efficiencies achieved by bulk semiconductors. This new field requires a broad selection of materials to achieve its full potential. The 12 nm spherical protein ferritin can be used as a template for uniform and controlled nanocrystal growth, and to then house the nanocrystals for use in solar energy conversion. In this study, precise band gaps of titanium, cobalt, and manganese oxyhydroxide nanocrystals within ferritin were measured, and a change in band gap due to quantum confinement effects was observed. The range of band gaps obtainable from these three types of nanocrystals is 2.19-2.29 eV, 1.93-2.15 eV, and 1.60-1.65 eV respectively. From these measured band gaps, theoretical efficiency limits for a multi-junction solar cell using these ferritin-enclosed nanocrystals are calculated and found to be 38.0% for unconcentrated sunlight and 44.9% for maximally concentrated sunlight. If a ferritin-based nanocrystal with a band gap similar to silicon can be found (i.e. 1.12 eV), the theoretical efficiency limits are raised to 51.3% and 63.1%, respectively. For a current matched cell, these latter efficiencies become 41.6% (with an operating voltage of 5.49 V), and 50.0% (with an operating voltage of 6.59 V), for unconcentrated and maximally concentrated sunlight respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Erickson
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
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