title: Enzyme-triggered disassembly of dendrimer-based amphiphilic nanocontainers.
abstract: We demonstrate a new enzyme-induced disassembly of amphiphilic nanocontainers based on dendrimers. Disassembly and the ensuing release of noncovalently bound guest molecules are of great interest because of their implications in areas such as drug delivery and sensing. Achieving these with a protein as the stimulus is of even greater importance, because proteins are the primary indicators of biological imbalances. We achieved disassembly of the nanocontainers by disturbing the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance in the amphiphilic dendrimer building blocks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
authors.forename: Malar A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Azagarsamy
authors.forename: Punidha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sokkalingam
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thayumanavan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry*; D004950:Esterases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004952:Esters / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008823:Micelles; D008958:Models, Molecular; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D050091:Dendrimers; D004952:Esters; D008823:Micelles; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004950:Esterases