Structural studies of the formation of lipoplexes between siRNA and selected bis-imidazolium gemini surfactants

July 28, 2017

Title

Structural studies of the formation of lipoplexes between siRNA and selected bis-imidazolium gemini surfactants

Author

W. Andrzejewska, Z. Pietralik, M. Skupin, M. Kozak

Year

2016

Journal

Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces

Abstract

Dicationic (gemini) surfactants are agents that can be used for the preparation of stable complexes of nucleic acids, particularly siRNA for therapeutic purposes. In this study, we demonstrated that bis-imidazolium gemini surfactants with variable lengths of dioxyalkyl linker groups (from dioxyethyl to dioxydodecyl) and dodecyl side chains are excellent for the complexation of siRNA. All of these compounds effectively complexed siRNA in a charge ratio range (p/n) of 1.5–10. The low resolution structure of siRNA oligomers was characterised by small angle scattering of synchrotron radiation (SR-SAXS) and ab initiomodelling. The structures of the formed complexes were also analysed using SR-SAXS, circular dichroism studies and electrophoretic mobility tests. The most promising agents for complexation with siRNA were the surfactants that contained dioxyethyl and dioxyhexyl spacer groups.

Instrument

J-815

Keywords

Circular dichroism, Biochemistry Pharmaceutical