Reversible DNA condensation induced by a tetranuclear nickel(II) complex.
DNA condensing agents play a critical role in gene therapy. A tetranuclear nickel(II) complex, [Ni(II)(4)(L-2H)(H(2)O)(6)(CH(3)CH(2)OH)(2)]·6NO(3) (L=3,3',5,5'-tetrakis{[(2-hydroxyethyl)(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]methyl}biphenyl-4,4'-diol), has been synthesized as a nonviral vector to induce DNA condensation. X-ray crystallographic data indicate that the complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system with space group P2(1)/n, a=10.291(9), b=24.15(2), c=13.896(11) Å, and β=98.175(13)°. The DNA condensation induced by the complex has been investigated by means of UV/Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, gel electrophoresis assay, and zeta potential analysis. The complex interacts strongly with DNA through electrostatic attraction and induces its condensation into globular nanoparticles at low concentration. The release of DNA from its compact state has been achieved using the chelator ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for the first time. Other essential properties, such as DNA cleavage inactivity and biocompatibility, have also been examined in vitro. In general, the complex satisfies the requirements of a gene vector in all of these respects.
Dong
Xindian
X
State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, P.R. China.
Wang
Xiaoyong
X
He
Yafeng
Y
Yu
Zhen
Z
Lin
Miaoxin
M
Zhang
Changli
C
Wang
Jing
J
Song
Yajie
Y
Zhang
Yangmiao
Y
Liu
Zhipeng
Z
Li
Yizhi
Y
Guo
Zijian
Z
D000818:Animals; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D053837:DNA Cleavage; D004563:Electrochemistry; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000737:chemistry*; D008024:Ligands; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
D008024:Ligands; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D009532:Nickel; D004247:DNA