Using the dendritic polymer PAMAM to form gold nanoparticles in the protein cage thermosome

Abstract

The chaperonin thermosome (THS) is a protein cage that lacks binding sites for metal ions and inorganic nanoparticles. However, when poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) is encapsulated into THS, gold nanoparticles (AuNP) can be prepared in the THS. The polymer binds HAuCl₄. Subsequent reduction yields nanoparticles with narrow size distribution in the protein–polymer conjugate.