Figure 1
From: Interaction of nanoparticles with proteins: relation to bio-reactivity of the nanoparticle
Schematic representation of NP surface induced unfolding of the interacting protein molecule and consequences. (A) Protein molecules adsorb on to the NP surface, to form a complex termed as the (B) NP-PC.NP surface may induce conformational change to the native structure of the adsorbed protein molecule, causing it to unfold. Such protein conformational changesmay either (C) alter the function of the native protein moleculeor even lead to (D) exposure of “cryptic” epitopes which may result in immunological recognition of the complex.