Interaction of gold and silver nanoparticles with plasmids DNA

Abstract

Aims. Unique properties of metal nanoparticles and their biological activity open wide perspectives for their using in medicine. Studies of the peculiarities of metal’s nanoparticles interaction with nucleic acids of plasmids has fundamental importance in the investigation of metal’s nanoparticles influence on genetic complex of cells. Methods. Interaction of gold and silver nanoparticles different size with plasmids has been performed on the plasmid pUC19 by the method of electron microscopy. Elimination of the plasmid pUC19 was performed by culturing the bacteria E. coli XL1-Blue (pUC19) with gold and silver nanoparticles within 18 hours. Results. Gold nanoparticles (20 and 30 nm) causing relaxation of plasmid placed not sorted on it’s threads. Moreover, gold nanoparticles with size 20 nm, in contrast to the 30 nm nanoparticles, aggregated an untwisted plasmid. Silver nanoparticles with size 30 nm leads to destructive changes of plasmid DNA, while being located on it at regular intervals. Gold (20 and 30 nm) and silver (30 nm) nanoparticles cause a high frequency of plasmid’s pUC19 elimination. Conclusions. Interaction of gold (20 and 30 nm) and silver nanoparticles (30 nm) with plasmid pUC19 resulting in plasmid’s relaxation. Effectively eliminates of plasmid’s pUC19 has been performed by gold (20 and 30 nm) and silver (30 nm) nanoparticles.

Key words: gold nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, plasmid, DNA, elimination.