Gold Nanobeacons for Tracking Gene Silencing in Zebrafish

The use of gold nanoparticles for effective gene silencing has demonstrated its potential as a tool for gene expression experiments and for the treatment of several diseases. Here, we used a gold nanobeacon designed to specifically silence the enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) mRNA in embry...

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Veröffentlicht in:Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2017-01, Vol.7 (1), p.10-10
Hauptverfasser: Cordeiro, Milton, Carvalho, Lara, Silva, Joana, Saúde, Leonor, Fernandes, Alexandra R, Baptista, Pedro V
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:The use of gold nanoparticles for effective gene silencing has demonstrated its potential as a tool for gene expression experiments and for the treatment of several diseases. Here, we used a gold nanobeacon designed to specifically silence the enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) mRNA in embryos of a fli-EGFP transgenic zebrafish line, while simultaneously allowing the tracking and localization of the silencing events via the beacon's emission. Fluorescence imaging measurements demonstrated a decrease of the EGFP emission with a concomitant increase in the fluorescence of the Au-nanobeacon. Furthermore, microinjection of the Au-nanobeacon led to a negligible difference in mortality and malformations in comparison to the free oligonucleotide, indicating that this system is a biocompatible platform for the administration of gene silencing moieties. Together, these data illustrate the potential of Au-nanobeacons as tools for in vivo zebrafish gene modulation with low toxicity which may be used towards any gene of interest.
ISSN:2079-4991
2079-4991
DOI:10.3390/nano7010010