[Objective] To establish a resonance light scattering(RLS)method for the determination of metallothioneins (MTs)based on the interaction of MTs with gold nanoparticles(GNPs).
[Methods] In B-R buffer solution of pH 4.56, the conjugates of MTs-GNPs were formed by Au-S covalent bond between the mercapto group of cysteine of MTs and GNPs, resulting in the enhancement of RLS intensity of the system owing to their aggregating. RLS intensity linearly correlated with the concentration of MTsat λmax=545 nm, which suggested that a new method for determination of MTs could be established.
[Results] Under the optimum conditions, there was a linear relationship between the RLS intensity and the concentration of MTs in the range of 7.98& #215; 10-9-1.0& #215;10-7 g/mL at λmax545 nm. The linear regression equation was ΔIRLS=16.69ρ-23.09 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9995, and the detection limit of 2.39& #215;10-9 g/mL.
[Conclusion] This method is simple, rapid, sensitive and accurate, and the detection limit is also low. It has been applied for detecting trace MTs in urine.
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