Effect of Polymethylene Spacer of Cationic Gemini Surfactants on Solvation Dynamics and Rotational Relaxation of Coumarin 153 in Aqueous Micelles

Compaction of Calf Thymus DNA by a Potential One-Head-Two-Tail Surfactant: Properties of Nanomaterials and Biological Testing for Gene Delivery

A one-head-two-tail cationic surfactant, Dilauryldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) has shown a great extent of calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) compaction being adsorbed on the surfaces of negatively charged SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). DDAB molecules show high adsorption efficiency and induce many positive surface charges per-unit surface area of the SiO2 NPs compared to cationic Gemini (12-6-12) and conventional (DTAB) surfactants in an aqueous medium at pH 7.4, as evident from zeta potential and EDAX data. Transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy images, along with ethidium bromide exclusion assay and DLS data support the compaction of ct-DNA. Fluorescence microscopic images show that in the presence of SiO2 NPs, DDAB can perform 50% compaction of ct-DNA at a concentration ∼58% and ∼99% lower than that of 12-6-12 and DTAB, respectively. Better ct-DNA compaction by DDAB is evident compared to other Gemini surfactants (12-4-12 and 12-8-12) as well reported before. Time-correlated single photon counting fluorescence intensity decay measurements of a probe DAPI in ct-DNA have revealed the average lifetime value that is decreased by ∼61% at 2.5 μM of DDAB in the presence of SiO2 NPs as compared to a decrease by only ∼29% in its absence, supporting NPs-induced stronger surfactant binding with ct-DNA. Fluorescence lifetime data have also demonstrated the crowding effect of NPs. At 2.5 μM of DDAB, both fast and slow rotational relaxation components of DAPI contribute almost equally to depolarization with the absence of NPs; however, with the presence of NPs, ∼96% weightage of the anisotropy decay is for the fast component. The present DDAB-SiO2 NPs combination has proved to be an excellent gene delivery system based on the cell viability in the mouse mammary gland adenocarcinoma cells (4T1) and human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell lines, and in vitro and in vivo studies.

Role of Gemini Surfactants with Variable Spacers and SiO2 Nanoparticles in ct-DNA Compaction and Applications toward In Vitro/In Vivo Gene Delivery

Compaction of calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) by two cationic gemini surfactants, 12-4-12 and 12-8-12, in the absence and presence of negatively charged SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) (∼100 nm) has been explored using various techniques. 12-8-12 having a longer hydrophobic spacer induces a greater extent of ct-DNA compaction than 12-4-12, which becomes more efficient with SiO₂ NPs. While 50% ct-DNA compaction in the presence of SiO₂ NPs occurs at ∼77 nM of 12-8-12 and ∼130 nM of 12-4-12, but a conventional counterpart surfactant, DTAB, does it at its concentration as high as ∼7 μM. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements show changes in the rotational dynamics of a fluorescent probe, DAPI, and helix segments in the condensed DNA. Fluorescence lifetime data and ethidium bromide exclusion assays reveal the binding sites of surfactants to ct-DNA. 12-8-12 with SiO₂ NPs has shown the highest cell viability (≥90%) and least cell death in the human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell lines in contrast to the cell viability of ≤80% for DTAB. These results show that 12-8-12 with SiO₂ NPs has the highest time and dose-dependent cytotoxicity compared to 12-8-12 and 12-4-12 in the murine breast cancer 4T1 cell line. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry are performed for in vitro cellular uptake of YOYO-1-labeled ct-DNA with surfactants and SiO₂ NPs using 4T1 cells after 3 and 6 h incubations. The in vivo tumor accumulation studies are carried out using a real-time in vivo imaging system after intravenous injection of the samples into 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. 12-8-12 with SiO₂ has delivered the highest amount of ct-DNA in cells and tumors in a time-dependent manner. Thus, the application of a gemini surfactant with a hydrophobic spacer and SiO₂ NPs in compacting and delivering ct-DNA to the tumor is proven, warranting its further exploration in nucleic acid therapy for cancer treatment.

Physical-Chemical Characterization of Bilayer Membranes Derived from (±) α-Tocopherol-Based Gemini Lipids and Their Interaction with Phosphatidylcholine Bilayers and Lipoplex Formation with Plasmid DNA

Membrane formation and aggregation properties of two series of (±) α-tocopherol-based cationic gemini lipids without and with hydroxyl functionalities at the headgroup region (TnS n = 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 12; THnS n = 4, 5, 6, 8, and 12) with varying polymethylene spacer lengths were investigated extensively while comparing with the corresponding properties of the monomeric counterparts (TM and THM). Liposomal suspensions of each cationic lipid were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential measurements, and small-angle X-ray diffraction studies. The length of the spacer and the presence of hydroxyl functionalities at the headgroup region strongly contribute to the aggregation behavior of these gemini lipids in water. The interaction of each tocopherol lipid with a model phospholipid, 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC)-derived vesicles, was thoroughly examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH)-doped fluorescence anisotropy measurements. The binding efficiency of the cationic tocopherol liposomes with plasmid DNA (pDNA) was followed by an ethidium bromide (EB) exclusion assay and zeta potential measurements, whereas negatively charged micellar sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-mediated release of the pDNA from various preformed pDNA-liposomal complexes (lipoplex) was studied by an ethidium bromide (EB) reintercalation assay. The structural transformation of pDNA upon complexation with liposome was characterized using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic measurements. Gemini lipid-pDNA interactions depend on both the presence of hydroxyl functionalities at the headgroups and the length of the spacer chain between the headgroups. Succinctly, we performed a detailed physical-chemical characterization of the membranes formed from cationic monomeric and gemini lipids bearing tocopherol as their hydrophobic backbone and describe the role of inserting the -OH group at the headgroup of such lipids.

Refolding of denatured gold nanoparticles-conjugated bovine serum albumin through formation of catanions between gemini surfactant and sodium dodecyl sulphate

The present work elucidates binding interactions of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) with the conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-bovine serum albumin (BSA), unfolded by each of two gemini surfactants, 1,4-bis(dodecyl-N,N-dimethylammonium bromide)-butane (12-4-12,2Br⁻) or 1,8-bis(dodecyl-N,N-dimethylammonium bromide)-octane (12-8-12,2Br⁻). Initially, at a low concentration of SDS there is a relaxation of bioconjugates from their compressed form due to the formation of catanions between SDS and gemini surfactants. On moving towards higher concentrations of SDS, these relaxed unfolded bioconjugates renature by removal of residual bound gemini surfactants. Mixed assemblies of SDS and gemini surfactants formed during refolding of bioconjugates are characterized by DLS and FESEM measurements. A step-by-step process of refolding observed for these denatured protein bioconjugates is exactly the inverse of their unfolding phenomenon. Parameters concerning nanometal surface energy transfer (NSET) and Förster's resonance energy transfer (FRET) phenomenon were employed to develop a binding isotherm. Moreover, there remains an inverse relationship between α-helix and β-turns of bioconjugates during the refolding process. Significantly, in the presence of 12-8-12,2Br⁻, SDS induces more refolding as compared to that for 12-4-12,2Br⁻. Bioconjugation shows an effect on the secondary structures of refolded BSA, which has been explored in detail through various studies such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence, and circular dichroism (CD). Therefore, this approach vividly describes the refolding of denatured bioconjugates, exploring structural information regarding various catanions formed during the process that would help in understanding distance-dependent optical biomolecular detection methodologies and physicochemical properties.

Demonstration of refolding of conjugated AuNPs-BSA through the formation of various catanions of SDS and gemini surfactants with different spacers in HEPES buffer medium using FRET/NSET methods and material characterization techniques.

Binding interactions of cationic gemini surfactants with gold nanoparticles-conjugated bovine serum albumin: A FRET/NSET, spectroscopic, and docking study

This work demonstrates binding interactions of two cationic gemini surfactants, 12-4-12,2Br^- and 12-8-12,2Br^- with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-conjugated bovine serum albumin (BSA) presenting binding isotherms from specific binding to saturation binding regions of surfactants. The binding isotherm has been successfully constructed using Förster's resonance energy transfer (FRET) and nanometal surface energy transfer (NSET) parameters calculated based on fluorescence quenching of donor, tryptophan (Trp) residue by acceptor, AuNP. Energy transfer efficiency (E_T) changes due to alteration in the donor-acceptor distance when surfactants interact with bioconjugates. A solid reverse relationship between α-helix and β-turn contents of BSA-AuNPs-conjugates is noted while interacting with surfactants. 12-8-12,2Br^- shows stronger binding interactions with BSA-bioconjugates than 12-4-12,2Br^-. The effect of bioconjugation on secondary/tertiary structures of BSA in the absence and presence of a surfactant is studied through circular dichroism, fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic measurements. Motional restrictions imposed by AuNPs on Trp residues of folded and unfolded BSA have been investigated using red edge emission shift (REES) measurements. Finally, the molecular docking results present the modes of interactions of 12-4-12,2Br^- and 12-8-12,2Br^-, and Au-nanoclusters (Au₉₂) with BSA. An approach to describe the binding isotherms of surfactants using AuNPs-bioconjugates as optical-based molecular ruler and possible effects of AuNPs on microenvironment and conformations of the protein is presented.

Role of Different States of Solubilized Water on Solvation Dynamics and Rotational Relaxation of Coumarin 490 in Reverse Micelles of Gemini Surfactants, Water/12-s-12.2Br- (s = 5, 6, 8)/n-Propanol/Cyclohexane

The present study demonstrates how the different states of solubilized water viz. quaternary ammonium headgroup-bound, bulklike, counterion-bound, and free water in reverse micelles of a series of cationic gemini surfactants, water/12-s-12 (s = 5, 6, 8).2Br^-/n-propanol/cyclohexane, control the solvation dynamics and rotational relaxation of Coumarin 490 (C-490) and microenvironment of the reverse micelles. The relative number of solubilized water molecules of a given state per surfactant molecule decides major and minor components. A rapid increase in the number of bulklike water molecules per surfactant molecule as compared to the slow increase in the number of each of headgroup- and counterion-bound water molecules per surfactant molecule with increasing water content (W _o) in a given reverse micellar system is responsible for the increase in the rate of solvation and rotational relaxation of C-490. The increase in the number of counterion-bound water molecules per surfactant molecule and the concomitant decrease in the number of bulklike water molecules per surfactant molecule with increasing spacer chain length of gemini surfactants at a given W _o are ascribed to the slower rates of both solvation and rotational relaxation. Relative abundances of different states of water have a role on the microenvironment of the reverse micelles as well. Thus, a comprehensive effect of different states of water on dynamics in complex biomimicking systems has been presented here.

The Synthesis, Self-Assembled Structures, and Microbicidal Activity of Cationic Gemini Surfactants with Branched Tridecyl Chains

Cationic gemini surfactants with polymethylene spacer and linear alkyl chains containing an even number of carbon atoms have been extensively studied in the recent past, with the emphasis put on the determination of their aggregation behaviour in aqueous solution and their biological properties. However, the information on the aggregation of branched gemini surfactants with an odd number of carbon atoms in their alkyl chains is only sparsely reported in the literature. To help cover this gap in the research of cationic gemini surfactants, a series of branched bisammonium cationic gemini surfactants with an odd number of carbon atoms in alkyl chains (tridecane-2-yl chains) and a polymethylene spacer with a variable length ranging from 3 to 12 carbon atoms have been synthesized and investigated. Critical micelle concentration, which was determined by three methods, was found to be in the order 10^-4 mol/L. A comparison of the obtained data of the novel series of tridecyl chain geminis with those of gemini surfactants with dodecyl chains and an identical spacer structure revealed that structural differences between both series of gemini surfactants result in different aggregation and surface properties for surfactants with 6 and 8 methylene groups in the spacer (N,N'-bis(tridecane-2-yl)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethylhexane-1,6-diaminium dibromide and N,N'-bis(tridecane-2-yl)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyloctane-1,8-diaminium dibromide) with the cmc values 8.2 × 10^-4 mol/L and 6.5 × 10^-4 mol/L, respectively, as determined by surface tension measurements. Particle size analysis showed the formation of small stable spherical micelles in the interval between 2.8 and 5 nm and with zeta potential around +50 mV, which are independent of surfactant concentration and increase with the increasing spacer length. Microbicidal activity of 13-s-13 gemini surfactants was found to be efficient against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and yeast.

Kinetics and Energetics of Ultrafast Bimolecular Photoinduced Electron Transfer Reactions in Pluronic-Surfactant Supramolecular Assemblies

Understanding the kinetics and energetics of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) reactions in constrained media has attracted considerable research interest, as constrained media provide a handle to tune the microenvironments and consequently the mechanisms of PET reactions. In this study, PET reactions between excited 7-aminocoumarin acceptors and ground-state N,N-dimethylaniline (DMAN) donor have been investigated in mixed micellar media composed of triblock copolymer, P123, and anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), with varying SDS-to-P123 molar ratios (n values). The objective is to elucidate the role of the n values in the rates and energetics of PET reactions over the entire time range from the subpicosecond to the subnanosecond domain, especially in regard to the applicability of the two-dimensional ET (2DET) mechanism. It is observed that by changing the n values, there is a significant change in the hydration characteristics of the SDS-P123 mixed micelles, which in turn changes the kinetics to energetic correlations for the PET reactions. Fluorescence from the excited coumarin acceptors undergoes substantial quenching due to PET from DMAN donor in all of the studied micelles as evidenced from steady-state, subnanosecond time-resolved (TR) and ultrafast (subpicosecond/femtosecond) fluorescence up-conversion measurements. The quenching rate constants (k_q), estimated from subnanosecond TR fluorescence studies, and the individual component-wise decay rates (τ_i^-1), estimated from up-conversion measurements, increase gradually with increasing n value, corroborating well with the sequentially increased micropolarity of the mixed micelles. Interestingly, it is observed that the correlations of either k_q (from subnanosecond studies) or τ_i^-1 (from femtosecond studies) with the reaction exergonicity (-ΔG°) show the noteworthy Marcus inversion (MI) behavior in a very consistent and similar manner for the entire time window, from subpicoseconds to subnanoseconds. The onset of MI always appears at an exergonicity (-ΔG°_MI) much lower than solvent reorganization energy (λ_s), suggesting the involvement of 2DET mechanism throughout the subpicosecond to subnanosecond time domains. The present results thus provide a comprehensive picture of the kinetics and energetics of the PET reactions in constrained media for the whole time span and unequivocally establish the applicability of 2DET mechanism for the PET reactions in constrained media, eliminating any apprehensions about the effect of time resolution of the subnanosecond setup on the observed Marcus inversion behavior. This is indeed an important finding, providing valuable insights for PET reactions in constrained media, which has not been explored explicitly in any of the previous studies. Observation of MI behavior and the modulations in the PET reactions by simply changing the composition of SDS in the SDS-P123 mixed micelles are noteworthy findings of the present study and are expected to find suitable applications for better utilization and outcome of the PET reactions.

Effect of Ionic Liquids as Cosurfactants on Photoinduced Electron Transfer in Tetronic Micelles

This study investigates the role of varying alkyl chain lengths of a series of surface-active 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C _nMIm][BF₄], n = 4, 6, and 10) ionic liquids (ILs) as cosurfactants in modifying the micellar characteristics of a tetronic star-block copolymer, T1304, and the consequent effects on bimolecular photoinduced electron transfer (PET) reactions carried out in these T1304-IL mixed micellar systems. Using coumarin 153 as the probe dye and following ground-state absorption, steady-state fluorescence, and time-resolved emission measurements, the micropolarity, microviscosity, and solvent relaxation dynamics in the micellar palisade layer have been revealed both in pure T1304 and in T1304-IL systems. With increasing alkyl chain length of the ILs, the palisade layer of the micelles gradually becomes more polar and less viscous, suggesting better incorporation of the longer alkyl chain length ILs as cosurfactants into the T1304 micelles. The bimolecular PET reactions, involving 7-aminocoumarins as acceptors and N, N-dimethylaniline as the donor, are considerably modulated in T1304 micelles by the presence of the ILs, the effect being more prominent for ILs with longer alkyl chain lengths. In all of the micellar systems, correlations of the electron transfer (ET) kinetics with the reaction exergonicity (-Δ G⁰) show clear Marcus inversion (MI) behavior where onsets of MI invariably appear at significantly lower exergonicities, suggesting the involvement of a two-dimensional ET mechanism. Interestingly, the Marcus correlations display significant variations, namely, enhanced reaction rates and gradual shift in the onset of MI toward higher exergonicity, as longer alkyl chain length ILs are sequentially introduced as cosurfactants. From the observed results, it is convincingly realized that 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ILs can be used satisfactorily as cosurfactants in tetronic star-block copolymer solutions to modulate PET reactions very significantly for their better utilizations in suitable applied areas.

Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer, Small-Angle Neutron Scattering, and Dynamic Light Scattering Study on Interactions of Gemini Surfactants Having Different Spacer Groups with Protein at Various Regions of Binding Isotherms

The binding interactions of three gemini surfactants having different spacer groups (12-4-12, 12-8-12, and 12-4(OH)-12) with a high concentration (150 μM) of bovine serum albumin (BSA) at various regions of binding isotherms have been studied by means of steady-state fluorescence and fluorescence anisotropy, time-correlated single-photon counting fluorescence of trans-2-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl]benzothiazole, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. The fluorescence resonance energy transfer phenomenon between the twisted intramolecular charge transfer fluorescent molecule, trans-2-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl]benzothiazole as an acceptor, and tryptophan 213 (Trp-213) of BSA as a donor has been successfully used to probe the binding interactions of gemini surfactants with protein at all regions of binding isotherms. The increasing order of energy transfer efficiency at a higher concentration range of surfactants is 12-8-12 > 12-4-12 > 12-4(OH)-12. Stronger binding of micelles of gemini surfactant molecules having a comparatively more hydrophobic spacer group with the hydrophobic segments of the protein results in closer approach of trans-2-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl]benzothiazole molecules solubilized in micelles to Trp-213. The average excited-state lifetimes become shorter with a trend of increase in contribution from the fast component and decrease in contribution from the slow component to the decay with increasing concentration of a surfactant. The nonradiative rate constant of trans-2-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl]benzothiazole increases with increasing concentration of a surfactant because the average microenvironment around it in protein-surfactant aggregates is more polar as compared to that in native protein. SANS and DLS measurements were carried out for the study of the structural deformations in the protein, on enhancement of the concentration of the gemini surfactants. The necklace and bead model has been used for the analysis of SANS data for the protein-surfactant complexes. At a higher concentration range, 12-8-12 and 12-4-12 have a slightly smaller fractal dimension and a larger correlation length as compared to 12-4(OH)-12. DLS data show that the increasing order of hydrodynamic diameter for the complexes of protein with three gemini surfactants in their high concentration range is 12-4(OH)-12 < 12-4-12 < 12-8-12.

Ionic liquid mediated micelle to vesicle transition of a cationic gemini surfactant: a spectroscopic investigation

In this contribution, we have examined a composition dependent self aggregated structural modification of a catanionic mixture of the surface active ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octyl sulphate and a cationic gemini surfactant (14-5-14) in aqueous medium. We have observed that the hydrodynamic diameter of the aggregates increases with increasing IL concentration and microscopic evidence (HRTEM, FESEM, and LCSM) shows the formation of vesicle like aggregates (Dh ≈ 200 nm) at XIL = 0.5. The steady state fluorescence anisotropy of the membrane binding probe DPH shows a micelle to vesicle transition at this composition. The viscosity of the solution shows a peak at XIL = 0.3, indicating the formation of a worm like micelle as an intermediate of the micelle to vesicle transition. The rotational dynamics shows a stiffer surfactant packing in the vesicles compared to the micelles, whereas, the solvation dynamics measurements indicate a higher abundance of bound type water in the vascular medium compared to that for the micelle. The formed vesicles also show stability towards temperature and biomolecules, which can be used for respective applications.

Aqueous solution behaviour and solubilisation properties of octadecyl cationic gemini surfactants and their comparison with their amide gemini analogues

Gemini surfactants 18-s-18(Et), comprised of two ethylammonium headgroups and two alkyl tails with m = 18 carbon atoms with spacers of s = 4, 6, 8 and 10 linking the headgroups (alkanediyl-α,ω-bis(diethyloctadecylammonium bromides)), were obtained. Their aqueous solution behaviour, including adsorption at the interface and aggregation in solution, was followed by tensiometric, conductometric and spectroscopic methods. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the surfactants decreased with increasing spacer length. The size of 18-s-18(Et) aggregates formed at concentrations of 10 and 40 CMC measured by DLS varied with the elongation of the spacer. Visualisation of aggregated surfactant structures at 40 CMC by cryo-TEM evidenced the formation of different morphologies depending on spacer length. Gemini with s = 4 formed elongated, cylindrical micelles, while geminis of s = 6, 8 and 10 self-assembled into vesicles. The ability of the studied geminis to solubilise hydrophobic dye Sudan I in water was determined as a function of surfactant concentration, demonstrating their high efficiency. Results for 18-s-18(Et) geminis were compared with those previously obtained for their analogues containing an amide group placed between headgroups and tails. The significant impact of amide groups on the surface activity and aggregation properties of gemini surfactants was evidenced and is related to hydrogen-bond formation by amide-containing compounds.

Solvation dynamics and rotational relaxation of coumarin 153 in mixed micelles of Triton X-100 and cationic gemini surfactants: effect of composition and spacer chain length of gemini surfactants

To demonstrate simultaneously how the solvation dynamics and rotational relaxation in nonionic micelles change with the composition of a gemini surfactant and how this change depends on spacer chain length of gemini surfactants.