Dynamic properties of an oriented lipid/DNA complex studied by neutron scattering

Biophys J. 2005 Feb;88(2):1081-90. doi: 10.1529/biophysj.104.042788. Epub 2004 Nov 12.

Abstract

The formation of lipid-DNA (CL-DNA) complexes called lipoplexes, proposed as DNA vectors in gene therapy, is obtained by adding DNA to a solution containing liposomes composed of cationic and neutral lipids. The structural and dynamic properties of such lipoplexes are determined by a coupling between the electrostatic interactions and the elastic parameters of the lipid mixture. An attempt to achieve a better understanding of the structure-dynamics relationship is reported herein. In particular, an elastic neutron scattering investigation of DOTAP-DOPC (dioleoyl trimethylammonium propane-dioleoyl phosphatidylcoline) complexed with DNA is described. Proton dynamics in this oriented CL-DNA lipoplex is found to be strongly dependent upon DNA concentration. Our results show that a substantial modification of the membrane dynamics is accompanied by the balancing of the total net charge inside the complex, together with the consequent displacement of interlayer water molecules.

MeSH terms

  • Anisotropy
  • Computer Simulation
  • DNA / analysis
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Elasticity
  • Lipid Bilayers / analysis
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Liposomes / chemistry*
  • Macromolecular Substances / analysis
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Membrane Fluidity*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Models, Statistical
  • Neutron Diffraction / methods*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Static Electricity
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Liposomes
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Water
  • DNA