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 tomonitor zinc ions inGoldfish (Carassius auratus) as model of vertebrate organism. Modified gold nanoparticles having functionalquinoline molecules (GNPs@L) were also synthesized and their sensing properties towards different metalions 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 theMCF-7 breast cancer cells, showing significant cytotoxicity in comparison with similar reported systems. It wasobserved that L and GNPs@L compounds induced apoptosis inMCF-7 cancer cells. The cellular uptake of the hybridsystem GNPs@L was studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).