Enhanced intracellular uptake in vitro by glucose-functionalized nanopesticides

Abstract

Nanopesticides have been increasingly used in agriculture. To improve the uptake of the target organisms for nanopesticides, we designed a dual-ligand nanopesticide based on gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as a carrier. Herein, the novel structure and properties of Au NPs conjugated with D-glucose (Glc) and rotenone (R) were characterized by UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential. The uptake and biodistribution of Glc-Au NPs, R-Au NPs, and Glc-Au NP-R were tested in tobacco BY-2 cells using flow cytometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and TEM. The cellular uptake of R-Au NP-Glc was increased by 1.8 folds as compared to that of R-Au NPs. Moreover, R-Au NPs-Glc could be actively transported into cells by hexose transporters and this uptake of the nanopesticides was an energy-dependent process. These results suggest that Glc is a promising ligand for the uptake and delivery of nanopesticides, and a well-designed system can enhance pesticidal bioavailability in agricultural scenarios.