Efficient double-strand scission of plasmid DNA by quaternized-chitosan zinc complex

N-[(2-Hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium) propyl] chitosan chloride (HTACC) was prepared to construct a chitosan-based zinc complex (HTACC–Zn(II)) as a catalyst with good water solubility for rapid DNA cleavage. Results indicated that the observed rate constant (kobs) of plasmid DNA cleaved by HTACC–Zn(II) could be enhanced by 107-fold compared with that of uncatalyzed DNA cleavage. The kinetic behavior of HTACC–Zn(II) for DNA cleavage is well fitted by Michaelis–Menten model. The results of gel electrophoresis suggested that HTACC–Zn(II) preferentially perform double-strand break of plasmid DNA.

The chitosan-based artificial hydrolase, construct by quaternized-chitosan with zinc ions, could dedicate 107-fold catalytic efficiency for plasmid DNA cleavage with preferentially double-strand cleavage under 1 μM concentration.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide