Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Au(I)-BSA nanocomposites with assembling-induced excitation-dependent multicolor emission for dynamic cell imaging

  • Articles
  • Published:
Science China Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Excitation wavelength dependent (Ex-De) luminescent materials have attracted intense attention due to their great potential in multicolor bioimaging, dynamic anti-counterfeiting, and light emitting devices. However, it remains a formidable challenge to construct an Ex-De luminescent biomaterial with green starting materials, excellent biocompatibility, good water solubility, and multiple color emission for dynamic cell imaging. In this work, nanocomposites based on the facile self-assembly strategy of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and Au(I)-complex are rationally designed and synthesized to simultaneously present Ex-De fluorescence (429–516 nm) and decent phosphorescence (∼615 nm) in a dilute aqueous solution. Combinatory analyses of spectroscopic and microscopic results reveal that the luminescent mechanism of Au(I)-BSA nanocomposites is cluster-induced Ex-De fluorescence and metal-to-ligand charge transition (MLCT) based phosphorescence. Importantly, based on the excellent biocompatibility, water-solubility and color-tunable emission over the entire visible region (360–800 nm), the Au(I)-BSA nanocomposites are successfully used for cell imaging with multiple and switchable colors on demand. What is more, the solid tablets of Au(I)-BSA nanoparticles showed pressure-responsive luminescence and decent room temperature phosphorescence. This work provides an assembling-induced emission strategy for the design of water-soluble, non-cytotoxic, and color-tunable luminescent biomaterials based on the composite of protein and Au nanoparticles.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gu L, Wu H, Ma H, Ye W, Jia W, Wang H, Chen H, Zhang N, Wang D, Qian C, An Z, Huang W, Zhao Y. Nat Commun, 2020, 11: 944

    PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Tang S, Yang T, Zhao Z, Zhu T, Zhang Q, Hou W, Yuan WZ. Chem Soc Rev, 2021, 50: 12616–12655

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Liu R, Jiang T, Liu D, Ma X. Sci China Chem, 2022, 65: 1100–1104

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Xu C, Yin C, Wu W, Ma X. Sci China Chem, 2022, 65: 75–81

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Li Y, Gu F, Ding B, Zou L, Ma X. Sci China Chem, 2021, 64: 1297–1301

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Zhu S, Meng Q, Wang L, Zhang J, Song Y, Jin H, Zhang K, Sun H, Wang H, Yang B. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2013, 52: 3953–3957

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Pan L, Sun S, Zhang A, Jiang K, Zhang L, Dong C, Huang Q, Wu A, Lin H. Adv Mater, 2015, 27: 7782–7787

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Zhang Y, Yang H, Ma H, Bian G, Zang Q, Sun J, Zhang C, An Z, Wong WY. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2019, 58: 8773–8778

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Zhang M, Saha ML, Wang M, Zhou Z, Song B, Lu C, Yan X, Li X, Huang F, Yin S, Stang PJ. J Am Chem Soc, 2017, 139: 5067–5074

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Yang JG, Li K, Wang J, Sun S, Chi W, Wang C, Chang X, Zou C, To WP, Li MD, Liu X, Lu W, Zhang HX, Che CM, Chen Y. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2020, 59: 6915–6922

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Ni XL, Chen S, Yang Y, Tao Z. J Am Chem Soc, 2016, 138: 6177–6183

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Wu YH, Xiao H, Chen B, Weiss RG, Chen YZ, Tung CH, Wu LZ. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2020, 59: 10173–10178

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Chen J, Chen X, Liu Y, Li Y, Zhao J, Yang Z, Zhang Y, Chi Z. Chem Sci, 2021, 12: 9201–9206

    PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Shao B, Stankewitz N, Morris JA, Liptak MD, Aprahamian I. Chem Commun, 2019, 55: 9551–9554

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Jeong YK, Lee YM, Yun J, Mazur T, Kim M, Kim YJ, Dygas M, Choi SH, Kim KS, Kwon OH, Yoon SM, Grzybowski BA. J Am Chem Soc, 2017, 139: 15088–15093

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hu S, Trinchi A, Atkin P, Cole I. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2015, 54: 2970–2974

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Song B, Zhong Y, Wu S, Chu B, Su Y, He Y. J Am Chem Soc, 2016, 138: 4824–4831

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Li J, Wang L, Zhao Z, Li X, Yu X, Huo P, Jin Q, Liu Z, Bian Z, Huang C. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2020, 59: 8210–8217

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Lu W, Chen Y, Roy VAL, Chui SSY, Che CM. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2009, 48: 7621–7625

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Po C, Tam AYY, Wong KMC, Yam VWW. J Am Chem Soc, 2011, 133: 12136–12143

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Ni WX, Li M, Zheng J, Zhan SZ, Qiu YM, Ng SW, Li D. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2013, 52: 13472–13476

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Wang Q, Dou X, Chen X, Zhao Z, Wang S, Wang Y, Sui K, Tan Y, Gong Y, Zhang Y, Yuan WZ. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2019, 58: 12667–12673

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Tang L, Ji R, Cao X, Lin J, Jiang H, Li X, Teng KS, Luk CM, Zeng S, Hao J, Lau SP. ACS Nano, 2012, 6: 5102–5110

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Sun YP, Zhou B, Lin Y, Wang W, Fernando KAS, Pathak P, Meziani MJ, Harruff BA, Wang X, Wang H, Luo PG, Yang H, Kose ME, Chen B, Veca LM, Xie SY. J Am Chem Soc, 2006, 128: 7756–7757

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Ru Y, Sui L, Song H, Liu X, Tang Z, Zang SQ, Yang B, Lu S. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2021, 60: 14091–14099

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Xie J, Zheng Y, Ying JY. J Am Chem Soc, 2009, 131: 888–889

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Liu J, Duchesne PN, Yu M, Jiang X, Ning X, Vinluan Iii RD, Zhang P, Zheng J. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2016, 55: 8894–8898

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Jiang T, Qu G, Wang J, Ma X, Tian H. Chem Sci, 2020, 11: 3531–3537

    PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Ma X, Wang J, Tian H. Acc Chem Res, 2019, 52: 738–748

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Takeshima N, Sugawa K, Tahara H, Jin S, Wakui H, Fukushima M, Tokuda K, Igari S, Kanakubo K, Hayakawa Y, Katoh R, Takase K, Otsuki J. ACS Nano, 2019, 13: 13244–13256

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Huang RW, Dong XY, Yan BJ, Du XS, Wei DH, Zang SQ, Mak TCW. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2018, 57: 8560–8566

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Song X, Zhu W, Ge X, Li R, Li S, Chen X, Song J, Xie J, Chen X, Yang H. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2021, 60: 1306–1312

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Wang J, Li J, Li Y, Zhang Z, Wang L, Wang D, Su L, Zhang X, Tang BZ. Chem Sci, 2020, 11: 6472–6478

    PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Wu X, Hao C, Kumar J, Kuang H, Kotov NA, Liz-Marzán LM, Xu C. Chem Soc Rev, 2018, 47: 4677–4696

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Gelamo EL, Tabak M. Spectrochim Acta Part A-Mol Biomol Spectr, 2000, 56: 2255–2271

    Google Scholar 

  36. Liu G, Fu K, Wang X, Qian C, Liu J, Wang D, Wang H, Zhu L, Zhao Y. ACS Mater Lett, 2022, 4: 715–723

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Liu G, Zhou C, Teo WL, Qian C, Zhao Y. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2019, 58: 9366–9372

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Liu G, Sheng J, Wu H, Yang C, Yang G, Li Y, Ganguly R, Zhu L, Zhao Y. J Am Chem Soc, 2018, 140: 6467–6473

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Liu G, Sheng J, Teo WL, Yang G, Wu H, Li Y, Zhao Y. J Am Chem Soc, 2018, 140: 16275–16283

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Qin W, Ding D, Liu J, Yuan WZ, Hu Y, Liu B, Tang BZ. Adv Funct Mater, 2012, 22: 771–779

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Liu J, Fu S, Yuan B, Li Y, Deng Z. J Am Chem Soc, 2010, 132: 7279–7281

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Sen T, Haldar KK, Patra A. J Phys Chem C, 2008, 112: 17945–17951

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Murayama K, Tomida M. Biochemistry, 2004, 43: 11526–11532

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. He YC, Xu N, Zheng X, Yu Y, Ling B, You J. Dyes Pigm, 2017, 136: 577–582

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Tang S, Zhao Z, Chen J, Yang T, Wang Y, Chen X, Lv M, Yuan WZ. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2022, 61: e202117368

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Hsu CC, Lin CC, Chou PT, Lai CH, Hsu CW, Lin CH, Chi Y. J Am Chem Soc, 2012, 134: 7715–7724

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Zhou Q, Yang T, Zhong Z, Kausar F, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Yuan WZ. Chem Sci, 2020, 11: 2926–2933

    PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Chen Z, Ho CL, Wang L, Wong WY. Adv Mater, 2020, 32: 1903269

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Yang X, Yang M, Pang B, Vara M, Xia Y. Chem Rev, 2015, 115: 10410–10488

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Fu Y, Han HH, Zhang J, He XP, Feringa BL, Tian H. J Am Chem Soc, 2018, 140: 8671–8674

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22101208, 22125803, 22020102006), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, and the Program for Professors of Special Appointment (Eastern Scholar) at Shanghai Institutions of Higher Learning.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, Advanced Research Institute, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China

    Xuejuan Wang, Guofeng Liu, Kuo Fu, Mengting Yao & Qinghua Lu

  2. Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China

    Xiang Ma

  3. State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China

    Xuping Li & Liangliang Zhu

Authors
  1. Xuejuan Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Guofeng Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kuo Fu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xuping Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mengting Yao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Qinghua Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Liangliang Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Xiang Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Guofeng Liu, Qinghua Lu or Xiang Ma.

Additional information

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Supporting information

The supporting information is available online at chem.scichina.com and link.springer.com/journal/11426. The supporting materials are published as submitted, without typesetting or editing. The responsibility for scientific accuracy and content remains entirely with the authors.

Supporting Information

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, X., Liu, G., Fu, K. et al. Au(I)-BSA nanocomposites with assembling-induced excitation-dependent multicolor emission for dynamic cell imaging. Sci. China Chem. 66, 174–184 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-022-1405-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-022-1405-9

Search

Navigation