A method for specific immobilization of whole-cell with covalent bonds was developed through a click reaction between alkyne and azide groups. In this approach, magnetic nanoparticle Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 -NH 2 -alkyne was synthesized with Fe 3 O 4 core preparation, SiO 2 coating, and alkyne functionalization on the surface. The azides were successfully integrated onto the cell surface of the recombinant E. coli harboring glycerol dehydrogenase, which was employed as the model cell. The highest immobilization yield of 83% and activity recovery of 94% were obtained under the conditions of 0.67 mg mg −1 cell-support ratio, pH 6.0, temperature 45 °C, and 20 mM Cu 2+ concentration. The immobilized cell showed good reusability, which remained over 50% of initial activity after 10 cycles of utilization. Its activity was 9.7-fold higher than that of the free cell at the condition of pH 8.0 and each optimal temperature. Furthermore, the immobilized cell showed significantly higher activity, operational stability, and reusability.
Lingbo Sun,Hongxia Fu,Yanru Li,Xinrui Duan,Zhengping Li
New approach for colon cancer stem cells (CSCs) recognition and isolation is reported. Colon CSCs are responsible for colonic tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance for radio-/chemotherapies. An accurate identification and isolation method is critical for understanding and characterization of these cells. In our work, we recognized CSCs’ population from colon cancer cells by using metabolic labeling of azido sugar based on the quiescent nature of these cells, which differed fundamentally from previously described methods by using specific cellular markers to recognize and isolate CSCs. Later the putative CSCs were isolated by using commercially available magnetic beads. The isolated cells population had much higher sphere formation efficiency, soft-agar colony formation efficiency, and an mRNA level of colon stem cells marker Lgr5 than the leftover population. Our method provides a new avenue and a general strategy for recognition and isolation of CSCs, which shows great potential for further use in both the fundamental research of CSCs and clinical tests.