Structural and functional aspects of the interaction of proteins and peptides with nanoparticles

Recent advances in nanotechnology offer great opportunities for the application of technogenic nanoparticles (NPs) in biology and medicine. The size of NPs enables their penetration into almost all organs, tissues, cells and cell organelles. The interaction of NPs with proteins can in certain cases lead to structural modification of the protein molecules, resulting in the exposure of previously hidden peptide epitopes on the protein surface and the acquisition of new, nonphysiological functions by the proteins. The adsorption of proteins and peptides on the surface of the NPs can result in an increase in the local concentration of protein molecules, and this can lead to structural and functional changes in the molecules due to increased avidity. The interaction of NPs with proteins and peptides can also induce cooperative effects, thereby changing the rate of formation of fibrillar aggregates of proteins or stimulating the formation of amorphous aggregates of NPs and biomolecules. A thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms of nano-bio interactions is obviously necessary for the further development of a wide range of applications of nanotechnology. The present review addresses recent advances in the study of the molecular mechanisms of interaction of proteins and peptides with NPs, as well as the possible structural, functional, and toxic effects of these interactions. The data presented in the review may be useful for an analysis of the possible effects of the biomolecular interaction with technogenic NPs. © 2013 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.