Efficient gene delivery vectors by tuning the surface charge density of amino acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles.
Gold colloids functionalized with amino acids provide a scaffold for effective DNA binding with subsequent condensation. Particles with lysine and lysine dendron functionality formed particularly compact complexes and provided highly efficient gene delivery without any observed cytotoxicity. Nanoparticles functionalized with first generation lysine dendrons (NP-LysG1) were approximately 28-fold superior to polylysine in reporter gene expression. These amino acid-based nanoparticles were responsive to intracellular glutathione levels, providing a tool for controlled release and concomitant expression of DNA.
Ghosh
Partha S
PS
Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
Kim
Chae-Kyu
CK
Han
Gang
G
Forbes
Neil S
NS
Rotello
Vincent M
VM
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D008027:Light; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
D000596:Amino Acids; D006046:Gold; D004247:DNA