title: Microscopic and spectroscopic analysis of chitosan-DNA conjugates.
abstract: Conjugations of DNA with chitosans 15 kD (ch-15), 100 kD (ch-100) and 200 kD (ch-200) were investigated in aqueous solution at pH 5.5-6.5. Multiple spectroscopic methods and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to locate the chitosan binding sites and the effect of polymer conjugation on DNA compaction and particle formation. Structural analysis showed that chitosan-DNA conjugation is mainly via electrostatic interactions through polymer cationic charged NH2 and negatively charged backbone phosphate groups. As polymer size increases major DNA compaction and particle formation occurs. At high chitosan concentration major DNA structural changes observed indicating a partial B to A-DNA conformational transition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry-Biochemistry and Physics, Université of Québec at Trois-Rivières, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada G9A 5H7.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Agudelo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Sir James Dunn Building, Dalhousie, University, Lord Dalhousie Drive, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4R2.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kreplak
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry-Biochemistry and Physics, Université of Québec at Trois-Rivières, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada G9A 5H7. Electronic address: tajmirri@uqtr.ca.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Tajmir-Riahi
mesh_terms: D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008968:Molecular Conformation
chemical_list: D004247:DNA; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: AFM; Binding; Chitosan; Conformation; DNA; Morphology