Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
08:08
Optimized Protocol for Efficient Transfection of Dendritic Cells without Cell Maturation
Published on: July 8, 2011
20.6K
DNA Dendrons as Agents for Intracellular Delivery
Max E Distler1,2, Michelle H Teplensky1,2, Katherine E Bujold1,2
1Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|August 19, 2021
Summary
DNA dendrons significantly enhance biomolecule delivery into cells by leveraging scavenger receptor-A for rapid endocytosis. This breakthrough offers a novel method for cellular delivery of peptides and other nanoscale materials.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- High-density nucleic acid nanostructures, like spherical nucleic acids, inspire novel biomolecule delivery systems.
- Understanding cellular uptake mechanisms is crucial for effective therapeutic delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate DNA dendrons as a method for delivering biomolecules into living cells.
- To investigate the cellular uptake efficiency and mechanism of DNA dendrons.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of DNA dendrons and conjugation to biomolecules.
- Treatment of dendritic cells with DNA dendrons and assessment of cellular uptake via flow cytometry.
- Analysis of DNA dendron interaction with scavenger receptor-A and subsequent endocytosis.
Main Results:
- DNA dendrons achieved 90% internalization in dendritic cells within 1 hour.
- Cellular DNA delivery increased >20-fold compared to linear DNA counterparts.
- Enhanced cellular delivery and activity of conjugated peptides (ovalbumin 1 and thymosin alpha 1).
Conclusions:
- High-density, multivalent DNA dendrons significantly enhance biomolecule cellular uptake.
- Scavenger receptor-A mediated endocytosis is the primary mechanism for DNA dendron internalization.
- DNA dendrons represent a promising platform for the cellular delivery of diverse molecular and nanoscale materials.
Related Concept Videos
02:43Nucleic acids
Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...
00:58DNA Packaging
Overview
01:29Non-nuclear Inheritance
Most DNA resides in the nucleus of a cell. However, some organelles in the cell cytoplasm—such as chloroplasts and mitochondria—also have their own DNA. These organelles replicate their DNA independently of the nuclear DNA of the cell in which they reside. Non-nuclear inheritance describes the inheritance of genes from structures other than the nucleus.
02:43Nucleic Acids
Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...
00:58DNA Packaging
Overview
01:14Cell Adhesion in Plants
Plants have rigid cell walls that are made up of cell wall polysaccharides that mediate cell-cell adhesion. The primary cell walls of plants consist of two independent and interacting polysaccharide networks: a pectin matrix that embeds the second network comprising cellulose and hemicelluloses.
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose, and...
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose, and...