Non-Cross-Linking Aggregation of DNA-Carrying Polymer Micelles Triggered by Duplex Formation

Langmuir. 2018 Dec 11;34(49):14899-14910. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b01840. Epub 2018 Aug 21.

Abstract

Colloidal behaviors of particles functionalized with biomolecules are generally complicated. This study describes that colloidal behaviors of double-stranded (ds) DNA-carrying polymer micelles are well controlled by altering the molar ratio of single-stranded (ss) DNA moiety in the dsDNA shell. ssDNA-carrying micelles composed of a poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) core surrounded by a dense shell of ssDNAs were prepared through self-assembly of PNIPAAm grafted with ssDNA by incubating its solution above the lower critical solution temperature. Spontaneous, non-cross-linking aggregation of the micelles was triggered by DNA duplex formation on the surface. Comparison of the critical coagulation concentration of NaCl among a series of the DNA-carrying micelles revealed the relationship between the helical structure of the surface-bound DNA and the colloidal stability of the micelles. The electrophoretic mobility analysis of the micelles indicated that the duplex formation reduced the structural flexibility of the surface-bound DNA, thereby decreasing the interparticle entropic repulsion. It is also suggested that the augmented rigidity of the surface-bound DNA increases the number of terminal base pairs facing the solvent, which could lead to multiple blunt-end stacking interaction among the micelles. Therefore, small DNA molecules could be considered unique surface-modifiers capable of controlling interactions between the surfaces of materials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins / chemical synthesis
  • Acrylic Resins / chemistry*
  • Base Pair Mismatch
  • Colloids
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / chemistry*
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / genetics
  • Micelles*
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Sodium Chloride / chemistry
  • Transition Temperature

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Colloids
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Micelles
  • poly-N-isopropylacrylamide
  • Sodium Chloride