New conjugated polymers for photoinduced unwinding of DNA supercoiling and gene regulation

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2012 May;4(5):2334-7. doi: 10.1021/am300464m. Epub 2012 Apr 19.

Abstract

Three cationic polythiophene derivatives (P1, P2, P3) were synthesized and characterized. Under white light irradiation (400-800 nm), they sensitize oxygen molecule in the surrounding to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can efficiently unwind the supercoiled DNA in vitro. Further study shows that this relaxation of the DNA supercoiling results in the decrease of gene (pCX-EGFP plasmid) expression level. The ability of these conjugated polymers for regulating gene expression will add a new dimension to the function of conjugated polymers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cations / chemistry
  • DNA, Superhelical / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Thiophenes / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cations
  • DNA, Superhelical
  • Polymers
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Thiophenes
  • polythiophene