Modified PVA–Fe₃O₄ Nanoparticles as Protein Carriers into Sperm Cells

Abstract

Magnetite nanoparticles conjugated to protein are developed in order to potentially serve as protein carriers into bovine sperm cells. The conjugate comprises iron oxide nanoparticles that are covalently bound to an anti-protein kinase C (PKC)alpha antibody. This conjugate can serve for cellular PKC localization and the inhibition of its function. The surface of the nanoparticle is first modified with (3-aminopropyl) thrimethoxysilane to form a self-assembled monolayer, and subsequently conjugated with the antibody through amidation between the carboxylic acid end groups on the antibody and the amine groups on the surface of the nanoparticles. The anti-PKCalpha localization is proven by fluorescent microscopy and iron staining. The activity of the anti-PKCalpha conjugated with the nanoparticle is tested by recognizing PKCalpha using the Western blot method.