title: Biophysical study of novel oligoelectrolyte-based nonviral gene delivery systems for mammalian cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gene therapy is an important treatment for genetic and acquired diseases. The success of gene therapy is largely dependent on the development of suitable vectors for gene transfer. Vectors are needed to overcome cellular barriers and to achieve efficient DNA delivery with low cytotoxicity. In the present study, we synthesized and characterized a novel comb-like oligoelectrolyte nanocarrier, BG-2, as a nonviral gene delivery vector.
  
  
  METHODS
  A novel surface-active oligoelectrolyte of comb-like structure was synthesized via controlled radical copolymerization using oligoperoxide Cu(+2) coordinating complex as a multisite initiator of graft copolymerization. The critical micellar concentration was determined by Nile Red fluorescence. Complex formation of DNA with BG-2 was determined by YOYO-1 fluorescence. The physicochemical properties of DNA in complex with BG-2 have been investigated by electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy. The BG-2/DNA complex was demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy. Interactions between BG-2/DNA complex and model membranes were also studied. The sensitivity of the DNA molecule, complexed with BG-2, against deoxyribonuclease I and serum nucleases was assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis. BG-2 efficiency in the transfection of HeLa cells was determined by measuring luciferase gene expression using a luminometer and cytotoxicity was also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BG-2 oligoelectrolyte was successful in overcoming cellular barriers as a result of forming stable and small sized complexes with DNA, interacting with model membranes in a desirable manner and protecting DNA from nuclease. The transfection efficiency was quite high and cytotoxicity was low.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BG-2 appears to be a promising nonviral vector with low cytotoxicity and efficient transfection properties.
authors.affiliation: TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute, Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Semra Zuhal
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Ficen
authors.forename: Zeliha
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Guler
authors.forename: Nataliya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mitina
authors.forename: Nataliya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Finiuk
authors.forename: Rostyslav
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stoika
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaichenko
authors.forename: Sebnem Ercelen
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Ceylan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001583:Benzoxazoles / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D011806:Quinolinium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D001583:Benzoxazoles; D004573:Electrolytes; D011108:Polymers; D011806:Quinolinium Compounds; C075296:1,1'-((4,4,7,7-tetramethyl)-4,7-diazaundecamethylene)bis-4-(3-methyl-2,3-dihydro(benzo-1,3-oxazole)-2-methylidene)quinolinium; D004247:DNA