title: Controllable DNA condensation-release induced by simple azaheterocyclic-based metal complexes.
abstract: The condensation of DNA is essential for biological processes such as DNA transcription and replication, and its study receives additional impetus from an interest in gene therapy. Although many efficacious condensing agents have been discovered and investigated, little is known about the conversation of condensation-release under suitable conditions. A novel class of DNA condensing agents based on small azaheterocyclic metal-binding molecules has been discovered and described. Both linear and plasmid DNA can be condensed to nanoparticles by the title compounds with 50 °C incubation, especially in the presence of divalent metal ions. Importantly, this condensation may be released to original forms with little or no damage to the DNA under incubation at physiological temperatures. These changes in DNA morphology over time have been analyzed by gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism (CD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The present work might help to develop strategies for the design and synthesis of controllable condensing agents, which may also be applied to control gene expression and delivery.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, P R China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Xuena
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Pengfei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Renzhong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Qiao
authors.forename: Yufen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D001372:Aza Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D056831:Coordination Complexes / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D010957:Plasmids
chemical_list: D001372:Aza Compounds; D056831:Coordination Complexes; D004247:DNA