Cooperative DNA Compaction by Ternary Supramolecular Complex with Cucurbituril/Cyclodextrin Pair

Abstract

DNA condensation plays a vital role in regulating cell life. Herein, we report a supramolecular complex with synergistic and specific DNA‐condensing ability, which is achieved by the cucurbituril‐induced conformational change and pKa shift in aqueous solution. The complexation with cucurbit[6]uril can drive the side chain of 1,6‐diaminohexane out of β‐cyclodextrin's cavity to increase the molecular rigidity and meanwhile, the supramolecular pKa shift from 10.81 to 12.15 can ensure the amount of positive charges, which facilitate the close contact with DNA. By benefiting from β‐cyclodextrin's hydrophobic cavity, the binary cucurbituril–cyclodextrin complex can be further decorated with anthryl adamantane. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the resultant ternary assembly originating from the integration of cucurbituril–cyclodextrin macrocyclic pair with the protonated ammonium chain and π‐conjugated anthryl adamantane can efficiently bind to the DNA backbones, thus resulting in the DNA morphological transition from loose clews to compact nanoparticles. Thus, this supramolecular complex may have powerful potential as compacting agent for nucleic acids in non‐viral gene delivery.

Ruthenium-containing supramolecular nanoparticles based on bipyridine-modified cyclodextrin and adamantyl PEI with DNA condensation properties

“…In addition, the zeta potential of PEI-Ada@Ru-CD is another factor that influences its DNA condensation ability and cellular uptake [39]. The PEI-Ada@Ru-CD nanoparticles had a positive zeta potential of + 20 mV (Fig.…”

Supramolecular Drug Delivery Systems Based on Host‐Guest Interactions for Nucleic Acid Delivery

“…Condensation of NAs represents one of the key steps in gene therapy that allows to prevent rapid degradation of oligonucleotides by nucleases. Thus, in 2007, they constructed a pseudopolyrotaxane by threading poly(propylene glycol) diamine (PPG4000) through the modified b‐cyclodextrins and subsequent assembly with different amounts of CB[6] to give the complexes with various content of the CB[6]‐bound alkylammonium pendants (0, 20, 40, 70, 100 %) [42] . It was found, that the resulting supramolecular assemblies can efficiently provide condensation of pEGFPC2 plasmid DNA consisting of circular supercoiled DNA (form I) and relaxed circular DNA (form II) into nanoparticles [43] .…”