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Target Binding Influences Permeability in Aptamer–Polyelectrolyte Microcapsules
Author(s) -
Sultan Yasir,
DeRosa Maria C.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201001829
Subject(s) - polyelectrolyte , aptamer , allylamine , sulforhodamine b , layer by layer , materials science , fluorescence microscope , chemical engineering , confocal microscopy , nanotechnology , chemistry , fluorescence , layer (electronics) , polymer , biochemistry , genetics , physics , quantum mechanics , cytotoxicity , microbiology and biotechnology , engineering , in vitro , composite material , biology
Aptamer–polyelectrolyte microcapsules are prepared for potential use as triggered delivery vehicles and microreactors. The hollow microcapsules are prepared from the sulforhodamine B aptamer and the polyelectrolytes poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(sodium 4‐styrene‐sulfonate), using layer‐by‐layer (LbL) film deposition templated on a sacrificial CaCO 3 spherical core. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy confirm the formation of spherical CaCO 3 cores and LbL‐aptamer microcapsules. Colocalization studies with fluorescently‐tagged aptamer and sulforhodamine B verify the ability of the aptamer to recognize its cognate target in the presence of the K + ions that are required for its characteristic G‐quadruplex formation. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching studies confirms a significant difference in the permeability of the aptamer–polyelectrolyte microcapsules for the sulforhodamine B dye target compared to control microcapsules prepared with a random oligonucleotide. These results suggest that aptamer‐based ‘smart’ responsive films and microcapsules could be applied to problems of catalysis and controlled release.