Serine-based gemini surfactants with different spacer linkages: from self-assembly to DNA compaction

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Sandra G Silva (Author) Other; Isabel S Oliveira (Author) Other; Luisa L C do Vale (Author) FCUP; Eduardo F Marques (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Soft Matter

Vol. 10

Pages: 9352-9361

ISSN: 1744-683X

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 30 Citations

Scopus - 29 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Materials engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-X9Z

DOI: 10.1039/c4sm01771d

Abstract (EN): Cationic gemini surfactants have strong potential as compaction agents of nucleic acids for efficient non-viral gene delivery. In this work, we present the aggregation behavior of three novel cationic serine-based gemini surfactants as well as their ability to compact DNA per se and mixed with a helper lipid, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE). All the surfactants have a 12-12-12 configuration, i.e. two main 12-carbon alkyl chains linked to the nitrogen atom of the amino acid residue and a 12 methylene spacer, but they differ in the nature of the spacer linkage: for (12Ser)(2)N12,an amine bond; for (12Ser)(2)CON12, an amide bond; and for (12Ser)(2)COO12, an ester bond. Interestingly, while the amine-based gemini aggregates into micelles, the amide and ester ones spontaneously form vesicles, which denotes a strong influence of the type of linkage on the surfactant packing parameter. The size, zeta-potential and stability of the vesicles have been characterized by light microscopy, cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The interaction of the gemini aggregates with DNA at different charge ratios and in the absence and presence of DOPE has been studied by DLS, fluorescence spectroscopy and cryo-SEM. All the compounds are found to efficiently compact DNA (complexation > 90%), but relevant differences are obtained in terms of the size, zeta-potential and stability of the lipoplexes formed. Results are rationalized in terms of headgroup differences and the type of aggregates present prior to DNA condensation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10