Ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine)-centered poly(ethylenimine) for gene delivery.
Ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine)-centered poly(ethylenimine) (Ru PEI) was synthesized via acid hydrolysis of Ru tris(bipyridine)-centered poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (Ru PEOX), and the luminescence, DNA entrapment, and transfection efficiencies were evaluated. Emission maxima for Ru PEI samples are red-shifted compared to Ru PEOX precursors, and the luminescence lifetimes are shorter in both methanol and aqueous solutions. Slower oxygen quenching of Ru PEOX and Ru PEI luminescence versus [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2 (bpy = bipyridine) is attributed to polymer shielding effects. Ru PEI luminescence is similar in the presence and absence of DNA. Ru PEI (7900 Da) and linear PEI (L-PEI; 22,000 Da) fully entrapped DNA (5.4 kb; pcDNA) at an N/P ratio of 2. LNCaP prostate cancer cells were transfected with a plasmid encoding for green fluorescent protein using Ru PEI and L-PEI vectors for comparison. For N/P = 48, the transfection efficiency for Ru PEI was approximately 50% relative to that of L-PEI.
Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, McCormick Road, P.O. Box 400319, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA.
Gina L
GL
Fiore
James M
JM
Edwards
Sarah J
SJ
Payne
Jessica L
JL
Klinkenberg
Daniel G
DG
Gioeli
J N
JN
Demas
Cassandra L
CL
Fraser
D015082:2,2'-Dipyridyl / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D056831:Coordination Complexes; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000737:chemistry*; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology; D014162:Transfection; D017975:Ruthenium Compounds
D015082:2,2'-Dipyridyl; D056831:Coordination Complexes; D011094:Polyethyleneimine; C547232:tris(2,2-bipyridine)-ruthenium(II); D017975:Ruthenium Compounds