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Lázaro MT, Aliabadi R, Wensink HH. Second-virial theory for shape-persistent living polymers templated by disks. Phys Rev E 2021; 104:054505. [PMID: 34942807 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.104.054505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Living polymers composed of noncovalently bonded building blocks with weak backbone flexibility may self-assemble into thermoresponsive lyotropic liquid crystals. We demonstrate that the reversible polymer assembly and phase behavior can be controlled by the addition of (nonadsorbing) rigid colloidal disks which act as an entropic reorienting "template" onto the supramolecular polymers. Using a particle-based second-virial theory that correlates the various entropies associated with the polymers and disks, we demonstrate that small fractions of discotic additives promote the formation of a polymer nematic phase. At larger disk concentrations, however, the phase is disrupted by collective disk alignment in favor of a discotic nematic fluid in which the polymers are dispersed antinematically. We show that the antinematic arrangement of the polymers generates a nonexponential molecular-weight distribution and stimulates the formation of oligomeric species. At sufficient concentrations the disks facilitate a liquid-liquid phase separation which can be brought into simultaneously coexistence with the two fractionated nematic phases, providing evidence for a four-fluid coexistence in reversible shape-dissimilar hard-core mixtures without cohesive interparticle forces. We stipulate the conditions under which such a phenomenon could be found in experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Torres Lázaro
- Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, UMR 8502, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - R Aliabadi
- Physics Department, Sirjan University of Technology, Sirjan 78137, Iran
| | - H H Wensink
- Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, UMR 8502, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France
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2
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Caselli L, Mendozza M, Muzzi B, Toti A, Montis C, Mello T, Di Cesare Mannelli L, Ghelardini C, Sangregorio C, Berti D. Lipid Cubic Mesophases Combined with Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: A Hybrid Multifunctional Platform with Tunable Magnetic Properties for Nanomedical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9268. [PMID: 34502176 PMCID: PMC8430948 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybrid materials composed of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and lipid self-assemblies possess considerable applicative potential in the biomedical field, specifically, for drug/nutrient delivery. Recently, we showed that SPIONs-doped lipid cubic liquid crystals undergo a cubic-to-hexagonal phase transition under the action of temperature or of an alternating magnetic field (AMF). This transition triggers the release of drugs embedded in the lipid scaffold or in the water channels. In this contribution, we address this phenomenon in depth, to fully elucidate the structural details and optimize the design of hybrid multifunctional carriers for drug delivery. Combining small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) with a magnetic characterization, we find that, in bulk lipid cubic phases, the cubic-to-hexagonal transition determines the magnetic response of SPIONs. We then extend the investigation from bulk liquid-crystalline phases to colloidal dispersions, i.e., to lipid/SPIONs nanoparticles with cubic internal structure ("magnetocubosomes"). Through Synchrotron SAXS, we monitor the structural response of magnetocubosomes while exposed to an AMF: the magnetic energy, converted into heat by SPIONs, activates the cubic-to-hexagonal transition, and can thus be used as a remote stimulus to spike drug release "on-demand". In addition, we show that the AMF-induced phase transition in magnetocubosomes steers the realignment of SPIONs into linear string assemblies and connect this effect with the change in their magnetic properties, observed at the bulk level. Finally, we assess the internalization ability and cytotoxicity of magnetocubosomes in vitro on HT29 adenocarcinoma cancer cells, in order to test the applicability of these smart carriers in drug delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucrezia Caselli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy; (L.C.); (M.M.); (B.M.); (C.M.); (C.S.)
- Consorzio Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Mendozza
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy; (L.C.); (M.M.); (B.M.); (C.M.); (C.S.)
- Consorzio Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Beatrice Muzzi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy; (L.C.); (M.M.); (B.M.); (C.M.); (C.S.)
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 1240, I-53100 Siena, Italy
- ICCOM-CNR, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
- INSTM, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Toti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-Neurofarba-Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.T.); (L.D.C.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Costanza Montis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy; (L.C.); (M.M.); (B.M.); (C.M.); (C.S.)
- Consorzio Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Tommaso Mello
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-Neurofarba-Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.T.); (L.D.C.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Carla Ghelardini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health-Neurofarba-Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (A.T.); (L.D.C.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Claudio Sangregorio
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy; (L.C.); (M.M.); (B.M.); (C.M.); (C.S.)
- ICCOM-CNR, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
- INSTM, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Debora Berti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy; (L.C.); (M.M.); (B.M.); (C.M.); (C.S.)
- Consorzio Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
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3
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Paul A, Jacoby G, Laor Bar-Yosef D, Beck R, Gazit E, Segal D. Glucosylceramide Associated with Gaucher Disease Forms Amyloid-like Twisted Ribbon Fibrils That Induce α-Synuclein Aggregation. ACS NANO 2021; 15:11854-11868. [PMID: 34213307 PMCID: PMC8397424 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c02957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A major risk factor for Gaucher's disease is loss of function mutations in the GBA1 gene that encodes lysosomal β-glucocerebrosidase, resulting in accumulation of glucosylceramide (GlcCer), a key lysosomal sphingolipid. GBA1 mutations also enhance the risk for Parkinson's disease, whose hallmark is the aggregation of α-synuclein (αSyn). However, the role of accumulated GlcCer in αSyn aggregation is not completely understood. Using various biophysical assays, we demonstrate that GlcCer self-assembles to form amyloid-like fibrillar aggregates in vitro. The GlcCer assemblies are stable in aqueous media of different pH and exhibit a twisted ribbon-like structure. Near lysosomal pH GlcCer aggregates induced αSyn aggregation and stabilized its nascent oligomers. We found that several bona fide inhibitors of proteinaceous amyloids effectively inhibited aggregation of GlcCer. This study contributes to the growing evidence of cross-talk between proteinaceous amyloids and amyloid-like aggregates of metabolites accumulated in diseases and suggests these aggregates as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashim Paul
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Shmunis School of Biomedicine
and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Guy Jacoby
- The
Raymond and Beverly Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy, The Center
for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, and the Center for Physics and
Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Dana Laor Bar-Yosef
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Shmunis School of Biomedicine
and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Roy Beck
- The
Raymond and Beverly Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy, The Center
for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, and the Center for Physics and
Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ehud Gazit
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Shmunis School of Biomedicine
and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty
of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Daniel Segal
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Shmunis School of Biomedicine
and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol
Interdisciplinary School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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4
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Angular super-resolution retrieval in small-angle X-ray scattering. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16038. [PMID: 32994517 PMCID: PMC7525553 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73030-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques enable convenient nanoscopic characterization for various systems and conditions. Unlike synchrotron-based setups, lab-based SAXS systems intrinsically suffer from lower X-ray flux and limited angular resolution. Here, we develop a two-step retrieval methodology to enhance the angular resolution for given experimental conditions. Using minute hardware additions, we show that translating the X-ray detector in subpixel steps and modifying the incoming beam shape results in a set of 2D scattering images, which is sufficient for super-resolution SAXS retrieval. The technique is verified experimentally to show superior resolution. Such advantages have a direct impact on the ability to resolve finer nanoscopic structures and can be implemented in most existing SAXS apparatuses both using synchrotron- and laboratory-based sources.
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5
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Hao B, Wang K, Zhou Y, Sui C, Wang L, Bai R, Yang Z. Label-Free Detecting of the Compaction and Decompaction of ctDNA Molecules Induced by Surfactants with SERS Based on a nanoPAA-ZnCl 2-AuLs Solid Substrate. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:1109-1119. [PMID: 31984267 PMCID: PMC6977030 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b03294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
DNA molecular compaction/decompaction is of great significance for the exploration of basic life processes, the research of biomedical and genetic engineering, and so forth. However, the detailed mechanism of DNA compaction/decompaction caused by surfactants remains an open and challenging problem that has not been fully solved so far. In this paper, a sort of novel solid substrate, nanoPAA-ZnCl2-AuLs, with good stability and high sensitivity, was prepared by a self-assembly method. Based on this substrate, the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology was employed to investigate characteristics of interactions between DNA molecules and surfactants at a single molecular level. SERS spectra of calf thymus DNA (ctDNA), cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) with a concentration as low as 10-9 M, and SERS spectra of ctDNA-CTAB and ctDNA-CTAB-SDS composites were collected, respectively. The interactions between ctDNA and surfactants were analyzed by changes in SERS spectra, for example, disappearances and appearances of SERS bands and relative changes of peak intensity, in which CTAB resulted in the compaction of the DNA molecule while SDS induced the decompaction of the ctDNA-CTAB complex. Moreover, UV-visible spectrophotometry was employed to demonstrate the compaction/decompaction of ctDNA molecules caused by surfactants. The local binding modes of ctDNA molecules and surfactant molecules were expounded. This work will be helpful for understanding biological processes such as DNA compaction and recombination within nucleus or/and cells and for the development of gene therapy technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojuan Hao
- State
Key Laboratory of Cultivation Base for Photoelectric Technology and
Functional Materials, Laboratory of Optoelectronic Technology of Shaanxi
Province, National Center for International Research of Photoelectric
Technology & Nano-Functional Materials and Application, Institute
of Photonics and Photon-Technology, Northwest
University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Kaige Wang
- State
Key Laboratory of Cultivation Base for Photoelectric Technology and
Functional Materials, Laboratory of Optoelectronic Technology of Shaanxi
Province, National Center for International Research of Photoelectric
Technology & Nano-Functional Materials and Application, Institute
of Photonics and Photon-Technology, Northwest
University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Yukun Zhou
- State
Key Laboratory of Cultivation Base for Photoelectric Technology and
Functional Materials, Laboratory of Optoelectronic Technology of Shaanxi
Province, National Center for International Research of Photoelectric
Technology & Nano-Functional Materials and Application, Institute
of Photonics and Photon-Technology, Northwest
University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Chaofan Sui
- State
Key Laboratory of Cultivation Base for Photoelectric Technology and
Functional Materials, Laboratory of Optoelectronic Technology of Shaanxi
Province, National Center for International Research of Photoelectric
Technology & Nano-Functional Materials and Application, Institute
of Photonics and Photon-Technology, Northwest
University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Xi’an
Institute of Applied Optics, Xi’an 710065, China
| | - Ren Bai
- Medical
College, Xi’an International University, Xi’an 710077, China
| | - Zhaojin Yang
- Xi’an
Institute of Applied Optics, Xi’an 710065, China
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6
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Porras-Gomez M, Leal C. Lipid-based Liquid Crystalline Films and Solutions for the Delivery of Cargo to Cells. LIQUID CRYSTALS REVIEWS 2019; 7:167-182. [PMID: 31942262 PMCID: PMC6961842 DOI: 10.1080/21680396.2019.1666752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A major challenge in the delivery of cargo (genes and/or drugs) to cells using nanostructured vehicles is the ability to safely penetrate plasma membranes by escaping the endosome before degradation, later releasing the payload into the cytoplasm or organelle of interest. Lipids are a class of bio-compatible molecules that self-assemble into a variety of liquid crystalline constructs. Most of these materials can be used to encapsulate drugs, proteins, and nucleic acids to deliver them safely into various cell types. Lipid phases offer a plethora of structures capable of forming complexes with biomolecules, most notably nucleic acids. The physichochemical characteristics of the lipid molecular building blocks, one might say the lipid primary structure, dictates how they collectively interact to assemble into various secondary structures. These include bilayers, lamellar stacks of bilayers, two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal arrays of lipid tubes, and even 3D cubic constructs. The liquid crystalline materials can be present in the form of aqueous suspensions, bulk materials or confined to a film configuration depending on the intended application (e.g. bolus vs surface-based delivery). This work compiles recent findings of different lipid-based liquid crystalline constructs both in films and particles for gene and drug delivery applications. We explore how lipid primary and secondary structures endow liquid crystalline materials with the ability to carry biomolecular cargo and interact with cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn Porras-Gomez
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Cecilia Leal
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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7
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Fenn JD, Monsma PC, Brown A. Axonal neurofilaments exhibit frequent and complex folding behaviors. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2019; 75:258-280. [PMID: 29683261 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Neurofilaments are flexible cytoskeletal polymers that are capable of folding and unfolding between their bouts of bidirectional movement along axons. Here we present a detailed characterization of this behavior in cultured neurons using kymograph analysis with approximately 30 ms temporal resolution. We analyzed 781 filaments ranging from 0.6-42 µm in length. We observed complex behaviors including pinch folds, hairpin folds, orientation changes (flips), and occasional severing and annealing events. On average, the filaments spent approximately 40% of their time in some sort of folded configuration. A small proportion of filaments (4%) moved while folded, but most (96%) moved in an outstretched configuration. Collectively, our observations suggest that motors may interact with neurofilaments at multiple points along their length, but preferentially at their ends. In addition, the prevalence of neurofilament folding and the tendency of neurofilaments to straighten out when they move, suggest that an important function of the movement of these polymers in axons may be to maintain them in an outstretched and longitudinally co-aligned configuration. Thus, neurofilament movement may function as much to organize these polymers as to move them, and this could explain why they spend so much time engaged in apparently unproductive bidirectional movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Daniel Fenn
- Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210
| | - Paula C Monsma
- Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210
| | - Anthony Brown
- Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210
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Suo Z, Chen J, Hu Z, Liu Y, Xing F, Feng L. Recent Advances in Novel DNA Guiding Nanofabrication and Nanotechnology. NANOFABRICATION 2018. [DOI: 10.1515/nanofab-2018-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
DNA as life’s genetic material has been widely investigated around the world. In recent years, with the fiery researches on nanomaterials, it also plays an important role in the development of material science due to its extraordinary molecular recognition capability and prominent structural features. In this mini review, we mainly overview the recent progresses of DNA guiding self-assembled nanostructures and nanofabrication. Typical DNA tile-based assembly and DNA origami nanotechnologies are presented, utilizing the recent 3D topology methods to fabricate multidimensional structures with unique properties. Then the site-specific nanomaterials synthesis and nano-DNA recognition on different DNA scaffolds/templates are demonstrated with excellent addressability, biocompatibility and structural programmability. Various nanomaterials, such as metals, carbon family materials, quantum dots, metal-organic frameworks, and DNA-based liquid crystals are briefly summarized. Finally, the present limitation and future promising development directions are discussed in conclusion and perspective. We wish this review would provide useful information toward the broader scientific interests in DNA nanotechnology.
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9
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Liu K, Zheng L, Ma C, Göstl R, Herrmann A. DNA-surfactant complexes: self-assembly properties and applications. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 46:5147-5172. [PMID: 28686247 DOI: 10.1039/c7cs00165g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Over the last few years, DNA-surfactant complexes have gained traction as unique and powerful materials for potential applications ranging from optoelectronics to biomedicine because they self-assemble with outstanding flexibility spanning packing modes from ordered lamellar, hexagonal and cubic structures to disordered isotropic phases. These materials consist of a DNA backbone from which the surfactants protrude as non-covalently bound side chains. Their formation is electrostatically driven and they form bulk films, lyotropic as well as thermotropic liquid crystals and hydrogels. This structural versatility and their easy-to-tune properties render them ideal candidates for assembly in bulk films, for example granting directional conductivity along the DNA backbone, for dye dispersion minimizing fluorescence quenching allowing applications in lasing and nonlinear optics or as electron blocking and hole transporting layers, such as in LEDs or photovoltaic cells, owing to their extraordinary dielectric properties. However, they do not only act as host materials but also function as a chromophore itself. They can be employed within electrochromic DNA-surfactant liquid crystal displays exhibiting remarkable absorptivity in the visible range whose volatility can be controlled by the external temperature. Concomitantly, applications in the biological field based on DNA-surfactant bulk films, liquid crystals and hydrogels are rendered possible by their excellent gene and drug delivery capabilities. Beyond the mere exploitation of their material properties, DNA-surfactant complexes proved outstandingly useful for synthetic chemistry purposes when employed as scaffolds for DNA-templated reactions, nucleic acid modifications or polymerizations. These promising examples are by far not exhaustive but foreshadow their potential applications in yet unexplored fields. Here, we will give an insight into the peculiarities and perspectives of each material and are confident to inspire future developments and applications employing this emerging substance class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 130022, Changchun, China
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10
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Zhang L, Maity S, Liu K, Liu Q, Göstl R, Portale G, Roos WH, Herrmann A. Nematic DNA Thermotropic Liquid Crystals with Photoresponsive Mechanical Properties. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2017; 13:1701207. [PMID: 28696523 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201701207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decades, water-based lyotropic liquid crystals of nucleic acids have been extensively investigated because of their important role in biology. Alongside, solvent-free thermotropic liquid crystals (TLCs) from DNA are gaining great interest, owing to their relevance to DNA-inspired optoelectronic applications. Up to now, however, only the smectic phase of DNA TLCs has been reported. The development of new mesophases including nematic, hexagonal, and cubic structures for DNA TLCs remains a significant challenge, which thus limits their technological applications considerably. In this work, a new type of DNA TLC that is formed by electrostatic complexation of anionic oligonucleotides and cationic surfactants containing an azobenzene (AZO) moiety is demonstrated. DNA-AZO complexes form a stable nematic mesophase over a temperature range from -7 to 110 °C and retain double-stranded DNA structure at ambient temperature. Photoisomerization of the AZO moieties from the E- to the Z-form alters the stiffness of the DNA-AZO hybrid materials opening a pathway toward the development of DNA TLCs as stimuli-responsive biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 130022, Changchun, China
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Key Laboratory of Sensor Analysis of Tumor Marker, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, 266042, Qingdao, China
| | - Sourav Maity
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 130022, Changchun, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Göstl
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52056, Aachen, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Portale
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter H Roos
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Herrmann
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
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11
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Louzon D, Ginsburg A, Schwenger W, Dvir T, Dogic Z, Raviv U. Structure and Intermolecular Interactions between L-Type Straight Flagellar Filaments. Biophys J 2017; 112:2184-2195. [PMID: 28538155 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.02.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial mobility is powered by rotation of helical flagellar filaments driven by rotary motors. Flagellin isolated from the Salmonella Typhimurium SJW1660 strain, which differs by a point mutation from the wild-type strain, assembles into straight filaments in which flagellin monomers are arranged in a left-handed helix. Using small-angle x-ray scattering and osmotic stress methods, we investigated the structure of SJW1660 flagellar filaments as well as the intermolecular forces that govern their assembly into dense hexagonal bundles. The scattering data were fitted to models, which took into account the atomic structure of the flagellin subunits. The analysis revealed the exact helical arrangement and the super-helical twist of the flagellin subunits within the filaments. Under osmotic stress, the filaments formed two-dimensional hexagonal bundles. Monte Carlo simulations and continuum theories were used to analyze the scattering data from hexagonal arrays, revealing how the bundle bulk modulus and the deflection length of filaments in the bundles depend on the applied osmotic stress. Scattering data from aligned flagellar bundles confirmed the theoretically predicated structure-factor scattering peak line shape. Quantitative analysis of the measured equation of state of the bundles revealed the contributions of electrostatic, hydration, and elastic interactions to the intermolecular forces associated with bundling of straight semi-flexible flagellar filaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Louzon
- The Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; The Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Avi Ginsburg
- The Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; The Institute for Drug Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Walter Schwenger
- Department of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Tom Dvir
- The Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; The Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Zvonimir Dogic
- Department of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Uri Raviv
- The Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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12
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Steer D, Kang M, Leal C. Soft nanostructured films for directing the assembly of functional materials. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 28:142001. [PMID: 28145900 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa5d77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Lipids are a class of biological small molecules with hydrophilic and hydrophobic constituents forming the structural membranes in cells. Over the past century an extensive understanding of lipid biology and biophysics has been developed illuminating lipids as an intricate, highly tunable, and hierarchical soft-matter system. In addition to serving as cell membrane models, lipids have been investigated as microphase separated structures in aqueous solutions. In terms of applications lipids have been realized as powerful structural motifs for the encapsulation and cellular delivery of genetic material. More recently, lipids have also revealed promise as thin film materials, exhibiting long-range periodic nano-scale order and tunable orientation. In this review we summarize the pertinent understanding of lipid nanostructure development in bulk aqueous systems followed by the current and potential perturbations to these results induced by introduction of a substrate. These effects are punctuated by a summary of our published results in the field of lipid thin films with added nucleic acids and key results introducing hard materials into lipid nanostructured substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Steer
- Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, United States of America
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13
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Pregent S, Lichtenstein A, Avinery R, Laser-Azogui A, Patolsky F, Beck R. Probing the interactions of intrinsically disordered proteins using nanoparticle tags. NANO LETTERS 2015; 15:3080-3087. [PMID: 25822629 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The structural plasticity of intrinsically disordered proteins serves as a rich area for scientific inquiry. Such proteins lack a fix three-dimensional structure but can interact with multiple partners through numerous weak bonds. Nevertheless, this intrinsic plasticity possesses a challenging hurdle in their characterization. We underpin the intermolecular interactions between intrinsically disordered neurofilaments in various hydrated conditions, using grafted gold nanoparticle (NP) tags. Beyond its biological significance, this approach can be applied to modify the surface interaction of NPs for the creation of future tunable "smart" hybrid biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stive Pregent
- †School of Physics and Astronomy, ‡Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and §School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Amir Lichtenstein
- †School of Physics and Astronomy, ‡Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and §School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ram Avinery
- †School of Physics and Astronomy, ‡Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and §School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Adi Laser-Azogui
- †School of Physics and Astronomy, ‡Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and §School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Fernando Patolsky
- †School of Physics and Astronomy, ‡Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and §School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Roy Beck
- †School of Physics and Astronomy, ‡Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and §School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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14
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Detecting local heterogeneity and ionization ability in the head group region of different lipidic phases using modified fluorescent probes. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8699. [PMID: 25731606 PMCID: PMC4346976 DOI: 10.1038/srep08699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Local heterogeneity in lipid self-assembly is important for executing the cellular membrane functions. In this work, we chemically modified 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HBO) and attached a C8 alkyl chain in two different locations to probe the microscopic environment of four lipidic phases of dodecyl β-maltoside. The fluorescence change in HBO and the new probes (HBO-1 and HBO-2) shows that in all phases (micellar, hexagonal, cubic and lamellar) three HBO tautomeric species (solvated syn-enol, anionic, and closed syn-keto) are stable. The formation of multi tautomers reflects the heterogeneity of the lipidic phases. The results indicate that HBO and HBO-1 reside in a similar location within the head group region, whereas HBO-2 is slightly pushed away from the sugar-dominated area. The stability of the solvated syn-enol tautomer is due to the formation of a hydrogen bond between the OH group of the HBO moiety and an adjacent oxygen atom of a sugar unit. The detected HBO anions was proposed to be a consequence of this solvation effect where a hydrogen ion abstraction by the sugar units is enhanced. Our results point to a degree of local heterogeneity and ionization ability in the head group region as a consequence of the sugar amphoterism.
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15
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Chan CL, Ewert KK, Majzoub RN, Hwu YK, Liang KS, Leal C, Safinya CR. Optimizing cationic and neutral lipids for efficient gene delivery at high serum content. J Gene Med 2015; 16:84-96. [PMID: 24753287 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cationic liposome (CL)-DNA complexes are promising gene delivery vectors with potential application in gene therapy. A key challenge in creating CL-DNA complexes for application is that their transfection efficiency (TE) is adversely affected by serum. In particular, little is known about the effects of a high serum content on TE, even though this may provide design guidelines for application in vivo. METHODS We prepared CL-DNA complexes in which we varied the neutral lipid [1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerophosphatidylcholine, glycerol-monooleate (GMO), cholesterol], the headgroup charge and chemical structure of the cationic lipid, and the ratio of neutral to cationic lipid; we then measured the TE of these complexes as a function of serum content and assessed their cytotoxicity. We tested selected formulations in two human cancer cell lines (M21/melanoma and PC-3/prostate cancer). RESULTS In the absence of serum, all CL-DNA complexes of custom-synthesized multivalent lipids show high TE. Certain combinations of multivalent lipids and neutral lipids, such as MVL5(5+)/GMO-DNA complexes or complexes based on the dendritic-headgroup lipid TMVLG3(8+) exhibited high TE both in the absence and presence of serum. Although their TE still dropped to a small extent in the presence of serum, it reached or surpassed that of benchmark commercial transfection reagents, particularly at a high serum content. CONCLUSIONS Two-component vectors (one multivalent cationic lipid and one neutral lipid) can rival or surpass benchmark reagents at low and high serum contents (up to 50%, v/v). We propose guidelines for optimizing the serum resistance of CL-DNA complexes based on a given cationic lipid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Ling Chan
- Department of Materials, Department of Physics, and Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology Department, University of California at Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.,Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Kai K Ewert
- Department of Materials, Department of Physics, and Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology Department, University of California at Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Ramsey N Majzoub
- Department of Materials, Department of Physics, and Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology Department, University of California at Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Yeu-Kuang Hwu
- Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Keng S Liang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan.,Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao-Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Cecília Leal
- Department of Materials, Department of Physics, and Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology Department, University of California at Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Cyrus R Safinya
- Department of Materials, Department of Physics, and Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology Department, University of California at Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
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16
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Safinya CR, Ewert KK, Majzoub RN, Leal C. Cationic liposome-nucleic acid complexes for gene delivery and gene silencing. NEW J CHEM 2014; 38:5164-5172. [PMID: 25587216 PMCID: PMC4288823 DOI: 10.1039/c4nj01314j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cationic liposomes (CLs) are studied worldwide as carriers of DNA and short interfering RNA (siRNA) for gene delivery and gene silencing, and related clinical trials are ongoing. Optimization of transfection efficiency and silencing efficiency by cationic liposome carriers requires a comprehensive understanding of the structures of CL-nucleic acid complexes and the nature of their interactions with cell membranes as well as events leading to release of active nucleic acids within the cytoplasm. Synchrotron x-ray scattering has revealed that CL-nucleic acid complexes spontaneously assemble into distinct liquid crystalline phases including the lamellar, inverse hexagonal, hexagonal, and gyroid cubic phases, and fluorescence microscopy has revealed CL-DNA pathways and interactions with cells. The combining of custom synthesis with characterization techniques and gene expression and silencing assays has begun to unveil structure-function relations in vitro. As a recent example, this review will briefly describe experiments with surface-functionalized PEGylated CL-DNA nanoparticles. The functionalization, which is achieved through custom synthesis, is intended to address and overcome cell targeting and endosomal escape barriers to nucleic acid delivery faced by PEGylated nanoparticles designed for in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrus R Safinya
- Materials, Physics, and Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology Departments, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Kai K Ewert
- Materials Science & Engineering Department, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Ramsey N Majzoub
- Materials Science & Engineering Department, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Cecília Leal
- Materials Science & Engineering Department, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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