title: Gemini surfactants: new synthetic vectors for gene transfection.
abstract: The superior surfactant properties of cationic gemini surfactants are applied to the complex problem of introducing genes into cells. Of almost 250 new compounds tested, of some 20 different structural types, a majority showed very good transfection activity in vitro. The surfactant is shown to bind and compact DNA efficiently, and structural studies and calculations provide a working picture of the "lipoplex" formed. The lipoplex can penetrate the outer membranes of many cell types, to appear in the cytoplasm encapsulated within endosomes. Escape from the endosome--a key step for transfection--may be controlled by changes in the aggregation behavior of the lipoplex as the pH falls. The evidence suggests that DNA may be released from the lipoplex before entry into the nucleus, where the new gene can be expressed with high efficiency.
authors.affiliation: University Chemical Laboratory, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK. ajk1@cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Camilleri
authors.forename: Jan B F N
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Engberts
authors.forename: Martin C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Feiters
authors.forename: Roeland J M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.forename: Olle
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Söderman
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergsma
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Matthew L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Fielden
authors.forename: Cristina L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: García Rodríguez
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guédat
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kremer
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: Christele
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perrin
authors.forename: Gaël
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ronsin
authors.forename: Marcel C P
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: van Eijk
mesh_terms: D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D008081:Liposomes; D013501:Surface-Active Agents