A supramolecular polymerisation model for the structurisation of DNA–lipid complexes
Complexes formed by DNA and lipid mixtures have great interest for the assessment of self-assembling mechanisms in open biological systems. X-ray diffraction has revealed that minor alterations of the cationic/neutral lipid composition produced major alterations to the liquid crystalline
structure and the hydration of the complexes. We have extended to these systems by an approach based on the identification of a fundamental repeating unit that grows according to the general principles of supramolecular polymerisation and liquid crystallinity. Structural reorganisations that
optimise the electrostatic and hydrophobic compensation are enhanced by competition between the rigidity of the polyelectrolyte and the cohesion of the lipid assembly. The non-hydrated hexagonal structure revealed by X-ray examination is represented by a dendritic-type supramolecular polymerisation
of DNA units decorated by the aliphatic tails of dissociated liposomes. An increase in the cationic/neutral lipid component ratio enhances the stability of planar bilayers, favouring the formation of the partly hydrated lamellar structure revealed by X-ray diffraction.
Keywords: DNA–lipid complexes; hexagonal phases; lamellar phases; lipoplexes; polyelectrolytes; supramolecular polymerisation
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: Institute for Macromolecular Science (ISMAC), CNR, Genoa, Italy
Publication date: 01 October 2012
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