Nucleotides and nucleolipids derivatives interaction effects during multi-lamellar vesicles formation

Area of Science:

• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Catanionic multi-lamellar vesicles (MLVs) are self-assembled structures with potential applications in drug delivery and nanotechnology.
• Nucleoside alkylation can yield functionalized lipids with unique self-assembly properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the formation of MLVs using a micellar interface approach.
• To synthesize novel nucleolipids through the alkylation of nucleotides.
• To evaluate the influence of nucleotide complementarity on MLV formation and stability.

Main Methods:

• Micellar catalysis using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant.
• Reaction of 1,2-epoxydodecane with adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and uridine monophosphate (UMP).
• Characterization of MLVs using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, and turbidity measurements.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of nucleolipids via alkylation of AMP and UMP within CTAB micelles.
• Formation of MLVs influenced by the type and complementarity of nucleotides used.
• NMR and UV-vis data indicated strong aryl and stacking interactions between complementary nucleolipids.
• Enhanced stability of MLVs observed in systems with complementary nucleotides.

Conclusions:

• The study establishes a novel method for nucleolipid synthesis and MLV formation.
• Nucleotide complementarity significantly impacts self-assembly processes and MLV stability.
• The findings highlight the role of nucleolipid interactions in driving supramolecular organization.