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New structures in complex formation between DNA and cationic liposomes visualized by freeze—fracture electron microscopy
Author(s) -
Sternberg Brigitte,
Sorgi Frank L.,
Huang Leaf
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/0014-5793(94)01315-2
Subject(s) - liposome , cationic liposome , dna , transfection , electron microscope , biophysics , bilayer , lipid bilayer , cationic polymerization , vesicle , chemistry , incubation , membrane , plasmid , biochemistry , biology , gene , polymer chemistry , physics , optics
Structures formed during interaction of cationic liposomes and plasmid DNA were studied by freeze—fracture electron microscopy and their morphology was found to be dependent on incubation time and DNA concentration. These structures were formed with liposomes composed of DC‐Chol and DOPE after 30 min incubation at DNA: lipid concentrations encompassing maximal transfection activity. They resembled liposome complexes (meatballs) and additionally bilayer‐covered DNA tubules (spaghetti), whereby the DNA‐tubules were found to be connected to the liposome complexes as well as occurring free in the suspension. At later times and higher DNA‐to‐liposome ratios the complexes grow larger while their membranes become discontinuous, allowing the self‐encapsulation of the DNA. The relative transfection potency of the various morphologically distinct structures is discussed.