In Planta Response of Arabidopsis to Photothermal Impact Mediated by Gold Nanoparticles

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Germany), 2016-02, Vol.12 (5), p.623-630
• Main Authors: Koo, Yeonjong, Lukianova-Hleb, Ekaterina Y., Pan, Joann, Thompson, Sean M., Lapotko, Dmitri O., Braam, Janet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acoustics; Activation; Arabidopsis - drug effects; Arabidopsis - radiation effects; Arabidopsis Proteins - genetics; Arabidopsis Proteins - metabolism; Biological activity; Biological effects; Biological Transport - drug effects; Biological Transport - radiation effects; Demand; Exposure; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant - drug effects; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant - radiation effects; Genes; Genes, Plant; Gold; Gold - pharmacology; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Lasers; Leaves; Light; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Plant Leaves - drug effects; Plant Leaves - metabolism; Plant Leaves - radiation effects; Plant Vascular Bundle - drug effects; Plant Vascular Bundle - radiation effects; Plants (botany); Roots; Signal detection; Temperature
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201502461

Biological responses to photothermal effects of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been demonstrated and employed for various applications in diverse systems except for one important class – plants. Here, the uptake of GNPs through Arabidopsis thaliana roots and translocation to leaves are reported. Successful plasmonic nanobubble generation and acoustic signal detection in planta is demonstrated. Furthermore, Arabidopsis leaves harboring GNPs and exposed to continuous laser or noncoherent light show elevated temperatures across the leaf surface and induced expression of heat‐shock regulated genes. Overall, these results demonstrate that Arabidopsis can readily take up GNPs through the roots and translocate the particles to leaf tissues. Once within leaves, GNPs can act as photothermal agents for on‐demand remote activation of localized biological processes in plants. Photoacoustic and photothermal effects of gold nanoparticles in planta are demonstrated. Gold nanoparticle uptake by Arabidopsis roots and translocation to leaves are detected using nanobubble‐mediated photoacoustic signals. The photothermal effect of the gold nanoparticles in Arabidopsis leaves is also characterized under laser as well as incoherent light sources.