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Preparation of Multifunctional Silk-Based Microcapsules Loaded with DNA Plasmids Encoding RNA Aptamers and Riboswitches
Published on: October 8, 2021
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NMR studies of DNA microcapsules prepared using sonochemical methods
Irena Reytblat1, Keren Keinan-Adamsky, Jordan H Chill
1Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel. gil.goobes@biu.ac.il.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|December 4, 2014
Summary
DNA microcapsules, formed by ultrasonic irradiation, can deliver drugs and genetic material into cells. Researchers found that partial unzipping of DNA base pairs facilitates the aggregation of these novel drug delivery capsules.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Molecular Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- DNA microcapsules are formed using ultrasonic irradiation for encapsulating hydrophobic molecules.
- These DNA microcapsules can penetrate cells for drug delivery and genetic material transfer.
- The molecular interactions responsible for the structural integrity of DNA microcapsules are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural and molecular interactions within DNA microcapsules.
- To understand the mechanism of aggregation in DNA microcapsule formation.
Main Methods:
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, including solution NMR, diffusion NMR, and magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR.
- 2D NMR correlation measurements.
- Chemical shift perturbation analysis.
Main Results:
- Diffusion NMR indicated that the DNA within the microcapsules maintained a size similar to the precursor DNA.
- 2D NMR and chemical shift perturbation revealed partial unzipping of AT base pairs in the central region of the DNA duplex.
- This unzipping allows nucleoside bases to interact with other DNA molecules, facilitating aggregation.
- MAS NMR provided limited evidence of the DNA structure within the microcapsule state due to slow tumbling.
Conclusions:
- Partial unzipping of DNA base pairs is a key mechanism driving the aggregation and structural stability of DNA microcapsules.
- The findings provide insights into the molecular interactions underlying DNA-based nanostructures for potential applications in drug delivery and gene therapy.
