Abstract

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are among the most promising emerging fluorescent labels for cellular imaging. However, it is unclear whether QDs, which are nanoparticles rather than small molecules, can specifically and effectively label molecular targets at a subcellular level. Here we have used QDs linked to immunoglobulin G (IgG) and streptavidin to label the breast cancer marker Her2 on the surface of fixed and live cancer cells, to stain actin and microtubule fibers in the cytoplasm, and to detect nuclear antigens inside the nucleus. All labeling signals are specific for the intended targets and are brighter and considerably more photostable than comparable organic dyes. Using QDs with different emission spectra conjugated to IgG and streptavidin, we simultaneously detected two cellular targets with one excitation wavelength. The results indicate that QD-based probes can be very effective in cellular imaging and offer substantial advantages over organic dyes in multiplex target detection.

Keywords

Quantum dotMultiplexFluorescenceStreptavidinCytoplasmChemistryCancer cellBiophysicsSubcellular localizationNanotechnologyMaterials scienceCancerBiologyBiochemistryBiotinPhysicsOptics

MeSH Terms

3T3 CellsAnimalsAntigensNeoplasmBiomarkersTumorBreast NeoplasmsCrystallizationDiagnostic ImagingElectrochemistryFibroblastsFluorescent Antibody TechniqueFluorescent DyesHumansMiceMicrochemistryMicrospheresNanotechnologyReceptorErbB-2SemiconductorsSpectrometryFluorescenceStaining and LabelingTumor CellsCultured

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Publication Info

Year
2002
Type
article
Volume
21
Issue
1
Pages
41-46
Citations
2470
Access
Closed

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Cite This

Xingyong Wu, Hongjian Liu, Jian‐Quan Liu et al. (2002). Immunofluorescent labeling of cancer marker Her2 and other cellular targets with semiconductor quantum dots. Nature Biotechnology , 21 (1) , 41-46. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt764

Identifiers

DOI
10.1038/nbt764
PMID
12459735

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Data completeness: 86%