Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
600053 Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2013 6 Pages PDF
Abstract

The association behavior of different nucleic acids with cationic liposomes has been monitored, in order to find out how the polymer length, the type of base and the charge density affect the lipoplex formation. In particular the associative features displayed by the homopolymer 20-mer of adenine, Oligo (dA), of timine, Oligo (dT), and of guanine, Oligo (dG), were compared to understand the role of the base. The effects of the nucleic acid length and of the charge density were evaluated taking account of the association of the polyadenylic acid and of the DNA onto the liposomes. The results show that the homopolymer Oligo (dG) is able to interact with the cationic liposomes to the same extent as DNA, in spite of the fact that Oligo (dG) is a short polymer made of 20 residues and DNA is a longer and dual strand polymer having a higher charge density.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Lipoplex formation is driven by electrostatic and hydrophobic forces. ► Size and stability of the complexes depend on the features of the nucleic acids. ► Base type, length and charge density affect the lipoplex formation. ► The results underline the peculiar behavior of the guanosine derivative.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemical Engineering Colloid and Surface Chemistry
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