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Self-assembly of Complex Two-dimensional Shapes from Single-stranded DNA Tiles
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Cellular Uptake of Tile-Assembled DNA Nanotubes
Samet Kocabey1, Hanna Meinl2, Iain S MacPherson3
1Faculty of Physics and Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich 80799, Germany. samet.kocabey@physik.lmu.de.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 29, 2017
Summary
DNA nanostructures carrying siRNA did not reach the cell cytosol for gene silencing. Researchers identified DNA nanostructure stability and dye issues for in vitro and in vivo applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- DNA nanostructures are explored as carriers for cellular delivery.
- Targeted delivery of therapeutic biomolecules remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular uptake and gene silencing efficiency of DNA nanostructures.
- To identify challenges in using DNA nanostructures for in vitro and in vivo applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of tubule-like DNA tile-assembled nanostructures.
- Cellular uptake studies in GFP-expressing HeLa cells.
- Assessment of GFP gene silencing.
- Evaluation of DNA nanostructure stability in cell medium.
- Analysis of dye behavior within cells.
Main Results:
- DNA nanostructures were localized in endosomes, not reaching the cytosol.
- No significant GFP gene silencing was observed.
- Folic acid conjugation did not enhance uptake or gene silencing.
- DNA nanostructures showed limited stability in cell medium, degrading within hours.
- Cleaved fluorescent dyes accumulated near mitochondria, potentially causing data misinterpretation.
Conclusions:
- Current DNA nanostructures face limitations in cytosolic delivery and gene silencing efficacy.
- DNA nanostructure stability and dye artifacts are critical considerations for experimental design.
- Further optimization of DNA nanostructure design is needed for effective therapeutic applications.
