Reversible condensation of DNA using a redox-active surfactant

We report characterization of aqueous solutions of dilute Lambda phage DNA containing the redox-active surfactant (11-ferrocenylundecyl)trimethylammonium bromide (FTMA) as a function of the oxidation state of the FTMA. FTMA undergoes a reversible one-electron oxidation from a reduced state that forms micelles in aqueous solution to an oxidized state (containing the ferrocenium cation) that does not self-associate in solution. This investigation sought to test the hypothesis that FTMA can be used to achieve reversible control over the conformation of DNA-surfactant complexes in solution. Whereas DNA adopts extended coil conformations in aqueous solutions, our measurements revealed that addition of reduced FTMA (2-5 microM) to aqueous solutions of DNA (5 microM in nucleotide units) resulted in coexistence of extended coils and compact globules in solution. At higher concentrations of reduced FTMA (up to 30 microM), the DNA was present as compact globules only. In contrast, oxidized FTMA had no measurable effect on the conformation of DNA, allowing DNA to maintain an extended coil state up to a concentration of 75 microM oxidized FTMA. We further demonstrate that it is possible to chemically or electrochemically transform the oxidation state of FTMA in preformed complexes of FTMA and DNA, thus achieving in situ control over the conformations of the DNA in solution. These results provide guidance for the design of surfactant systems that permit active control of DNA-surfactant interactions.