A novel quinoline molecular probe and the derived functionalized gold nanoparticles: Sensing properties and cytotoxicity studies in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

A highly selective quinoline-based fluorescent sensor L was designed, prepared and used to monitor zinc ions in Goldfish (Carassius auratus) as model of vertebrate organism. Modified gold nanoparticles having functional quinoline molecules (GNPs@L) were also synthesized and their sensing properties towards different metal ions were also explored in solution, showing high selectively towards the toxic and heavy metal ion mercury. Cell proliferation kit XTT that employs 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro- 5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5- carboxanilide salt (XTT) was used in order to investigate the cytotoxicity of compound L and GNPs@L on the MCF-7 breast cancer cells, showing significant cytotoxicity in comparison with similar reported systems. It was observed that L and GNPs@L compounds induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cancer cells. The cellular uptake of the hybrid system GNPs@L was studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). © 2014 Elsevier Inc.