A Cysteine-Mediated Synthesis of Red Phosphorus Nanosheets

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2021 May 25;60(22):12524-12531. doi: 10.1002/anie.202101486. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Abstract

Among phosphorus-based nanomaterials, layered black phosphorus and violet phosphorus have been actively explored in the past decade. However, methods for the synthesis of red phosphorus nanosheets (RPNSs) is lacking, even though red phosphorus (RP) is commercially available at low cost and has excellent chemical stability at room temperature. We report an efficient strategy for fabrication of RPNSs and doped RPNSs using cysteine as a reducing reagent. Data from in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that RPNSs can trigger production of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, and subsequent autophagy-mediated cell death in a shape-dependent manner. Our findings provide a method for construction of layered RP nanomaterials and they present a unique mechanism for the application of phosphorus-based materials in nanomedicines.

Keywords: autophagy; chemotherapy; cysteine; red phosphorus nanosheets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Boron Compounds / chemistry
  • Cell Line
  • Cysteine / chemistry*
  • DNA Damage / drug effects
  • Ferroptosis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / therapeutic use
  • Nanostructures / toxicity
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Phosphorus / chemistry*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Reducing Agents / chemistry
  • Transplantation, Heterologous

Substances

  • 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene
  • Boron Compounds
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Reducing Agents
  • Phosphorus
  • Cysteine