title: Self-assembly and nanoaggregation of a pH responsive DNA hybrid amphiphile.
abstract: This work describes the design and preparation of a simple but novel hybrid amphiphile containing a pH-responsive DNA sequence. The formation of a bimolecular i-motif structure allows the control of reversible switching of the hybrid amphiphile between the dimer and unimer by pH. Thus, spherical aggregates with distinct self-assembly pathways, sizes and structures are obtained at pH 4.5 and pH 9.0, and the structures can be switched by the change of pH and thermal annealing. This work reports different self-assembled nanostructures and their transitions that give this amphiphile potential for the design of controllable drug delivery systems.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (East China), 66 Changjiang West Road, Qingdao 266580, China. xuh@upc.edu.cn yawsun@upc.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yongfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Yawei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Haiyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Hai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Jian R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D004247:DNA