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Tian Q, Yang F, Jiang H, Bhattacharyya P, Xie T, Ali AA, Sun Y, You M. Imaging and detecting intercellular tensile forces in spheroids and embryoid bodies using lipid-modified DNA probes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1220079. [PMID: 37920824 PMCID: PMC10619156 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1220079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells continuously experience and respond to different physical forces that are used to regulate their physiology and functions. Our ability to measure these mechanical cues is essential for understanding the bases of various mechanosensing and mechanotransduction processes. While multiple strategies have been developed to study mechanical forces within two-dimensional (2D) cell culture monolayers, the force measurement at cell-cell junctions in real three-dimensional (3D) cell models is still pretty rare. Considering that in real biological systems, cells are exposed to forces from 3D directions, measuring these molecular forces in their native environment is thus highly critical for the better understanding of different development and disease processes. We have recently developed a type of DNA-based molecular probe for measuring intercellular tensile forces in 2D cell models. Herein, we will report the further development and first-time usage of these molecular tension probes to visualize and detect mechanical forces within 3D spheroids and embryoid bodies (EBs). These probes can spontaneously anchor onto live cell membranes via the attached lipid moieties. By varying the concentrations of these DNA probes and their incubation time, we have first characterized the kinetics and efficiency of probe penetration and loading onto tumor spheroids and stem cell EBs of different sizes. After optimization, we have further imaged and measured E-cadherin-mediated forces in these 3D spheroids and EBs for the first time. Our results indicated that these DNA-based molecular tension probes can be used to study the spatiotemporal distributions of target mechanotransduction processes. These powerful imaging tools may be potentially applied to fill the gap between ongoing research of biomechanics in 2D systems and that in real 3D cell complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Tian
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Feiyu Yang
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Han Jiang
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Priyanka Bhattacharyya
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Tianfa Xie
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Ahsan Ausaf Ali
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Yubing Sun
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Mingxu You
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
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2
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Gubu A, Zhang X, Lu A, Zhang B, Ma Y, Zhang G. Nucleic acid amphiphiles: Synthesis, properties, and applications. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 33:144-163. [PMID: 37456777 PMCID: PMC10345231 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid amphiphiles, referring to nucleic acids modified with large hydrophobic groups, have been widely used in programmable bioengineering. Since nucleic acids are intrinsically hydrophilic, the hydrophobic groups endow nucleic acid amphiphiles with unique properties, such as self-assembling, interactions with artificial or biological membranes, and transmembrane transport. Importantly, the hybridization or target binding capability of oligonucleotide itself supplies nucleic acid amphiphiles with excellent programmability. As a result, this type of molecule has attracted considerable attention in academic studies and has enormous potential for further applications. For a comprehensive understanding of nucleic acid amphiphiles, we review the reported research on nucleic acid amphiphiles from their molecular design to final applications, in which we summarize the synthetic strategies for nucleic acid amphiphiles and draw much attention to their unique properties in different contexts. Finally, a summary of the applications of nucleic acid amphiphiles in drug development, bioengineering, and bioanalysis are critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amu Gubu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Aptacure Therapeutics Limited, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xueli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Biology Center, Peking University, No. 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, China
| | - Aiping Lu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tsai, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery, HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Baoting Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuan Ma
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tsai, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery, HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tsai, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine and Innovative Drug Discovery, HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen 518000, China
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3
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Kav B, Weikl TR, Schneck E. Measuring pico-Newton Forces with Lipid Anchors as Force Sensors in Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:4081-4089. [PMID: 37127845 PMCID: PMC10184124 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Binding forces between biomolecules are ubiquitous in nature but sometimes as weak as a few pico-Newtons (pN). In many cases, the binding partners are attached to biomembranes with the help of a lipid anchor. One important example are glycolipids that promote membrane adhesion through weak carbohydrate-carbohydrate binding between adjacent membranes. Here, we use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to quantify the forces generated by bonds involving membrane-anchored molecules. We introduce a method in which the protrusion of the lipid anchors from the membrane acts as the force sensor. Our results with two different glycolipids reveal binding forces of up to 20 pN and corroborate the recent notion that carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions are generic rather than specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batuhan Kav
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14467, Potsdam, Germany
- Institute of Biological Information Processing: Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Thomas R Weikl
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14467, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Emanuel Schneck
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14467, Potsdam, Germany
- Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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4
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Kodr D, Kužmová E, Pohl R, Kraus T, Hocek M. Lipid-linked nucleoside triphosphates for enzymatic synthesis of hydrophobic oligonucleotides with enhanced membrane anchoring efficiency. Chem Sci 2023; 14:4059-4069. [PMID: 37063801 PMCID: PMC10094435 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc06718h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We designed and synthesized a series of 2'-deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) bearing various lipid moieties. Fatty acid- and cholesterol-modified dNTPs proved to be substrates for KOD XL DNA polymerase in primer extension reactions. They were also mutually compatible for simultaneous multiple incorporations into the DNA strand. The methodology of enzymatic synthesis opened a pathway to diverse structurally unique lipid-ON probes containing one or more lipid units. We studied interactions of such probes with the plasma membranes of live cells. Employing a rational design, we found a series of lipid-ONs with enhanced membrane anchoring efficiency. The in-membrane stability of multiply modified ONs was superior to that of commonly studied ON analogues, in which a single cholesterol molecule is typically tethered to the thread end. Notably, some of the probes were detected at the cell surface even after 24 h upon removal of the probe solution. Such an effect was general to several studied cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kodr
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences Flemingovo namesti 2 CZ-16610 Prague 6 Czech Republic
| | - Erika Kužmová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences Flemingovo namesti 2 CZ-16610 Prague 6 Czech Republic
| | - Radek Pohl
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences Flemingovo namesti 2 CZ-16610 Prague 6 Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Kraus
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences Flemingovo namesti 2 CZ-16610 Prague 6 Czech Republic
| | - Michal Hocek
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences Flemingovo namesti 2 CZ-16610 Prague 6 Czech Republic
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague Hlavova 8 Prague-2 12843 Czech Republic
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5
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Abstract
Lipid-DNA conjugates have emerged as highly useful tools to modify the cell membranes. These conjugates generally consist of a lipid anchor for membrane modification and a functional DNA nanostructure for membrane analysis or regulation. There are several unique properties of these lipid-DNA conjugates, especially including their programmability, fast and efficient membrane insertion, and precise sequence-specific assembly. These unique properties have enabled a broad range of biophysical applications on live cell membranes. In this review, we will mainly focus on recent tremendous progress, especially during the past three years, in regulating the biophysical features of these lipid-DNA conjugates and their key applications in studying cell membrane biophysics. Some insights into the current challenges and future directions of this interdisciplinary field have also been provided.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mingxu You
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
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6
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Bagheri Y, Ali AA, Keshri P, Chambers J, Gershenson A, You M. Imaging Membrane Order and Dynamic Interactions in Living Cells with a DNA Zipper Probe. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202112033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Bagheri
- Department of Chemistry University of Massachusetts Amherst MA 01003 USA
| | - Ahsan Ausaf Ali
- Department of Chemistry University of Massachusetts Amherst MA 01003 USA
| | - Puspam Keshri
- Department of Chemistry University of Massachusetts Amherst MA 01003 USA
| | - James Chambers
- Institute for Applied Life Sciences University of Massachusetts Amherst MA 01003 USA
| | - Anne Gershenson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Massachusetts Amherst MA 01003 USA
| | - Mingxu You
- Department of Chemistry University of Massachusetts Amherst MA 01003 USA
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7
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Bagheri Y, Ali AA, Keshri P, Chambers J, Gershenson A, You M. Imaging Membrane Order and Dynamic Interactions in Living Cells with a DNA Zipper Probe. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202112033. [PMID: 34767659 PMCID: PMC8792286 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202112033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The cell membrane is a dynamic and heterogeneous structure composed of distinct sub-compartments. Within these compartments, preferential interactions occur among various lipids and proteins. Currently, it is still challenging to image these short-lived membrane complexes, especially in living cells. In this work, we present a DNA-based probe, termed "DNA Zipper", which allows the membrane order and pattern of transient interactions to be imaged in living cells using standard fluorescence microscopes. By fine-tuning the length and binding affinity of DNA duplex, these probes can precisely extend the duration of membrane lipid interactions via dynamic DNA hybridization. The correlation between membrane order and the activation of T-cell receptor signaling has also been studied. These programmable DNA probes function after a brief cell incubation, which can be easily adapted to study lipid interactions and membrane order during different membrane signaling events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Bagheri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 (USA)
| | - Ahsan Ausaf Ali
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 (USA)
| | - Puspam Keshri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 (USA)
| | - James Chambers
- Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 (USA)
| | - Anne Gershenson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003 (USA)
| | - Mingxu You
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 (USA)
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8
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Zhang SY, Zhou ZR, Qian RC. Recent Progress and Perspectives on Cell Surface Modification. Chem Asian J 2021; 16:3250-3258. [PMID: 34427996 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202100852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The cell membrane is a biological interface consisting of phospholipid bilayer, saccharides and proteins that maintains a stable metabolic intracellular environment as well as regulating and controlling the exchange of substances inside and outside the cell. Cell membranes provide a highly complex biological surface carrying a variety of essential surfaces ligands and receptors for cells to receive various stimuli of external signals, thereby inducing corresponding cell responses regulating the life activities of the cell. These surface receptors can be manipulated via cell surface modification to regulate cellular functions and behaviors Thus, cell surface modification has attracted considerable attention due to its significance in cell fate control, cell engineering and cell therapy. In this minireview, we describe the recent developments and advances of cell surface modification, and summarize the main modification methods with corresponding functions and applications. Finally, the prospect for the future development of the modification of the living cell membrane is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, P. R. China
| | - Ze-Rui Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, P. R. China
| | - Ruo-Can Qian
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, P. R. China
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9
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Tian Q, Bagheri Y, Keshri P, Wu R, Ren K, Yu Q, Zhao B, You M. Efficient and selective DNA modification on bacterial membranes. Chem Sci 2020; 12:2629-2634. [PMID: 34164031 PMCID: PMC8179310 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc06630c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With highly precise self-assembly and programmability, DNA has been widely used as a versatile material in nanotechnology and synthetic biology. Recently, DNA-based nanostructures and devices have been engineered onto eukaryotic cell membranes for various exciting applications in the detection and regulation of cell functions. While in contrast, the potential of applying DNA nanotechnology for bacterial membrane studies is still largely underexplored, which is mainly due to the lack of tools to modify DNA on bacterial membranes. Herein, using lipid–DNA conjugates, we have developed a simple, fast, and highly efficient system to engineer bacterial membranes with designer DNA molecules. We have constructed a small library of synthetic lipids, conjugated with DNA oligonucleotides, and characterized their membrane insertion properties on various Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Simply after incubation, these lipid–DNA conjugates can be rapidly and efficiently inserted onto target bacterial membranes. Based on the membrane selectivity of these conjugates, we have further demonstrated their applications in differentiating bacterial strains and potentially in pathogen detection. These lipid–DNA conjugates are promising tools to facilitate the possibly broad usage of DNA nanotechnology for bacterial membrane analysis, functionalization, and therapy. A lipid-based approach to effectively modify DNA molecules onto various types of bacterial membranes after simple incubation.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Tian
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst Massachusetts 01003 USA
| | - Yousef Bagheri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst Massachusetts 01003 USA
| | - Puspam Keshri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst Massachusetts 01003 USA
| | - Rigumula Wu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst Massachusetts 01003 USA
| | - Kewei Ren
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst Massachusetts 01003 USA
| | - Qikun Yu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst Massachusetts 01003 USA
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst Massachusetts 01003 USA
| | - Mingxu You
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst Massachusetts 01003 USA
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10
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Bagheri Y, Ali AA, You M. Current Methods for Detecting Cell Membrane Transient Interactions. Front Chem 2020; 8:603259. [PMID: 33365301 PMCID: PMC7750205 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.603259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Short-lived cell membrane complexes play a key role in regulating cell signaling and communication. Many of these complexes are formed based on low-affinity and transient interactions among various lipids and proteins. New techniques have emerged to study these previously overlooked membrane transient interactions. Exciting functions of these transient interactions have been discovered in cellular events such as immune signaling, host-pathogen interactions, and diseases such as cancer. In this review, we have summarized current experimental methods that allow us to detect and analyze short-lived cell membrane protein-protein, lipid-protein, and lipid-lipid interactions. These methods can provide useful information about the strengths, kinetics, and/or spatial patterns of membrane transient interactions. However, each method also has its own limitations. We hope this review can be used as a guideline to help the audience to choose proper approaches for studying membrane transient interactions in different membrane trafficking and cell signaling events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mingxu You
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
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11
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Rajwar A, Morya V, Kharbanda S, Bhatia D. DNA Nanodevices to Probe and Program Membrane Organization, Dynamics, and Applications. J Membr Biol 2020; 253:577-587. [DOI: 10.1007/s00232-020-00154-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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12
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Zhao B, Tian Q, Bagheri Y, You M. Lipid-Oligonucleotide Conjugates for Simple and Efficient Cell Membrane Engineering and Bioanalysis. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2020; 13:76-83. [PMID: 32642625 PMCID: PMC7343234 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2019.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cell membrane modification is important for tissue engineering, cell-based therapies, and cell biology studies. Recently, oligonucleotides have attracted considerable attention to remodel and functionalize live cell membranes. In particular, a type of amphiphilic lipid-oligonucleotide conjugates have been rationally designed and synthesized for this purpose. These conjugates have enabled a rapid, straightforward and efficient cell membrane modification. Taking advantage of the highly precise and programmable self-assembly of DNAs and RNAs, lipid-oligonucleotide conjugates have been used for membrane bioanalysis, therapeutics, building artificial membrane structures, and regulating cell-surface and cell-cell interactions. In this review, we have summarized the current knowledge in the design, synthesis, and regulating membrane properties of lipid-oligonucleotide conjugates. In addition, their state-of-the-art applications in cell membrane engineering and bioanalysis have been illustrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Qian Tian
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Yousef Bagheri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Mingxu You
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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13
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Bagheri Y, Chedid S, Shafiei F, Zhao B, You M. A quantitative assessment of the dynamic modification of lipid-DNA probes on live cell membranes. Chem Sci 2019; 10:11030-11040. [PMID: 32055389 PMCID: PMC7003967 DOI: 10.1039/c9sc04251b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic lipid-DNA probes have recently attracted much attention for cell membrane analysis, transmembrane signal transduction, and regulating intercellular networks. These lipid-DNA probes can spontaneously insert onto plasma membranes simply after incubation. The highly precise and controllable DNA interactions have further allowed the programmable manipulation of these membrane-anchored functional probes. However, we still have quite limited understanding of how these lipid-DNA probes interact with cell membranes and also what parameters determine this process. In this study, we have systematically studied the dynamic process of cell membrane modification with a group of lipid-DNA probes. Our results indicated that the hydrophobicity of the lipid-DNA probes is strongly correlated with their membrane insertion and departure rates. Most cell membrane insertion stems from the monomeric form of probes, rather than the aggregates. Lipid-DNA probes can be removed from cell membranes through either endocytosis or direct outflow into the solution. As a result, long-term probe modifications on cell membranes can be realized in the presence of excess probes in the solution and/or endocytosis inhibitors. For the first time, we have successfully improved the membrane persistence of lipid-DNA probes to more than 24 h. Our quantitative data have dramatically improved our understanding of how lipid-DNA probes dynamically interact with cell membranes. These results can be further used to allow a broad range of applications of lipid-DNA probes for cell membrane analysis and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Bagheri
- Department of Chemistry , University of Massachusetts , Amherst , MA 01003 , USA . ;
| | - Sara Chedid
- Department of Chemistry , University of Massachusetts , Amherst , MA 01003 , USA . ;
| | - Fatemeh Shafiei
- Department of Chemistry , University of Massachusetts , Amherst , MA 01003 , USA . ;
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department of Chemistry , University of Massachusetts , Amherst , MA 01003 , USA . ;
| | - Mingxu You
- Department of Chemistry , University of Massachusetts , Amherst , MA 01003 , USA . ;
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