A Fluorophore-Labeled Lysine Dendrimer with an Oxo-Anion-Binding Motif for Tracking Gene Transfection |
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| Authors: | Nazli Aldemir Dr. Cecilia Vallet Prof. Dr. Shirley K. Knauer Prof. Dr. Carsten Schmuck Dr. Christoph Hirschhäuser |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätstrasse 7, 45117 Essen, Germany) E-mail: christoph.hirschhäuseruni-due.de;2. Department of Molecular Biology II, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätstrasse 7, 45117 Essen, Germany |
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| Abstract: | A transfection vector based on a peptide dendrimer ( 1 ) has been developed and its abilities for DNA binding and transport have been investigated. By attaching a fluorophore to the vector system ( 1* ), several steps in the transfection process could be monitored directly. As DLS and AFM studies showed, the labeled vector 1* condensed DNA into tightly packed aggregates able to enter eukaryotic cells. Co-localization experiments revealed that the ligand/plasmid complex is taken up by the endosomal pathway followed by an endosomal escape or lysosomal degradation. Afterwards, the plasmid DNA seems to enter the nucleus due to a breakdown of the nuclear envelope during mitosis, as only cells that have recently undergone mitosis showed H2B-GFP expression. |
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| Keywords: | DNA binding ligand gene transfection nonviral vectors tracking |
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