title: A novel layer-by-layer approach for the fabrication of conducting polymer/RNA multilayer films for controlled release.
abstract: Poly(anilineboronic acid) (PABA)/ribonucleic acid (RNA) multilayer films were prepared under neutral condition using a layer-by-layer deposition of PABA and RNA. RNA was used both as a polyelectrolyte for multilayer formation as well as dopant for PABA. Photoelastic modulated infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy measurements suggest that PABA interacts covalently with RNA through the formation of a boronate ester, a boron-nitrogen dative bond, as well as electrostatic interactions of anionic phosphates with cationic amines. The deposition procedure was monitored with UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, showing a linear dependence of absorbance with the number of PABA/RNA bilayers deposited. The multilayer films were further characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ellipsometry, which yielded a PABA/RNA bilayer thickness of approximately 10 nm. The PABA/RNA multilayer films are redox-active at neutral pH, consistent with the formation of a self-doped polymer. Electrochemical control of PABA under these conditions allows potential-induced controlled release of RNA from a multilayer at neutral pH, suggesting that this may serve as a novel method for controlled release of RNA under physiological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2.
authors.forename: Carmen L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Recksiedler
authors.forename: Bhavana A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Deore
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Freund
mesh_terms: D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D004563:Electrochemistry; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
chemical_list: D000814:Aniline Compounds; D001897:Boronic Acids; C416807:polyaniline; D012313:RNA