title: New serine-derived gemini surfactants as gene delivery systems.
abstract: Gemini surfactants have been extensively used for in vitro gene delivery. Amino acid-derived gemini surfactants combine the special aggregation properties characteristic of the gemini surfactants with high biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this work, novel serine-derived gemini surfactants, differing in alkyl chain lengths and in the linker group bridging the spacer to the headgroups (amine, amide and ester), were evaluated for their ability to mediate gene delivery either per se or in combination with helper lipids. Gemini surfactant-based DNA complexes were characterized in terms of hydrodynamic diameter, surface charge, stability in aqueous buffer and ability to protect DNA. Efficient formulations, able to transfect up to 50% of the cells without causing toxicity, were found at very low surfactant/DNA charge ratios (1/1-2/1). The most efficient complexes presented sizes suitable for intravenous administration and negative surface charge, a feature known to preclude potentially adverse interactions with serum components. This work brings forward a new family of gemini surfactants with great potential as gene delivery systems.
authors.affiliation: CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.affiliation: CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Catarina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.affiliation: CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: A Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigação em Química, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sandra G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigação em Química, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: M Luísa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: do Vale
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigação em Química, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Eduardo F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.affiliation: CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria C Pedroso
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: de Lima
authors.affiliation: CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: asjurado@bioq.uc.pt.
authors.forename: Amália S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Jurado
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000737:chemistry; D000588:Amines / Q000737:chemistry; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*; D004952:Esters / Q000737:chemistry; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D012694:Serine / Q000737:chemistry*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000588:Amines; D004952:Esters; D008055:Lipids; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D012694:Serine; D004247:DNA
keywords: Biodegradable; Complex-membrane interactions; Gemini surfactants; Physico-chemical characteristics; Serine; Transfection efficiency