Targeting cell membrane lipid rafts by stoichiometric functionalization of gold nanoparticles with a sphingolipid-binding domain peptide

A non‐membrane protein‐based nanoparticle agent for the tracking of lipid rafts on live cells is produced by stoichiometric functionalization of gold nanoparticles with a previously characterized sphingolipid‐ and cell membrane microdomain‐binding domain peptide (SBD). The SBD peptide is inserted in a self‐assembled monolayer of peptidol and alkane thiol ethylene glycol, on gold nanoparticles surface. The stoichiometric functionalization of nanoparticles with the SBD peptide, essential for single molecule tracking, is achieved by means of non‐affinity nanoparticle purification. The SBD‐nanoparticles have remarkable long‐term resistance to electrolyte‐induced aggregation and ligand‐exchange and have no detectable non‐specific binding to live cells. Binding and diffusion of SBD‐nanoparticles bound to the membrane of live cells is measured by real‐time photothermal microscopy and shows the dynamics of sphingolipid‐enriched microdomains on cells membrane, with evidence for clustering, splitting, and diffusion over time of the SBD‐nanoparticle labeled membrane domains. The monofunctionalized SBD‐nanoparticle is a promising targeting agent for the tracking of lipid rafts independently of their protein composition and the labelling requires no prior modification of the cells. This approach has potential for further functionalization of the particles to manipulate the organization of, or targeting to microdomains that control signaling events and thereby lead to novel diagnostics and therapeutics.