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Characterisation of the binding interaction between poly( L ‐lysine) and DNA using the fluorescamine assay in the preparation of non‐viral gene delivery vectors
Author(s) -
Read Martin L.,
Etrych Thomas,
Ulbrich Karel,
Seymour Leonard W.
Publication year - 1999
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/s0014-5793(99)01435-0
Subject(s) - fluorescamine , chemistry , gene delivery , dna , polymer , polylysine , lysine , combinatorial chemistry , reagent , cationic polymerization , polyelectrolyte , biochemistry , polymer chemistry , gene , amino acid , genetic enhancement , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , fluorescence
A major factor limiting the development of non‐viral gene delivery systems is the poor characterisation of polyelectrolyte complexes formed between cationic polymers and DNA. The present study uses the fluorescamine reagent to improve characterisation of poly( L ‐lysine) (pLL)/DNA complexes post‐modified with a multivalent hydrophilic polymer by determining the availability of free amino groups. The results show that the fluorescamine reagent can be used to monitor the self‐assembly reaction between pLL and DNA and the degree of surface modification of the resultant complexes with a hydrophilic polymer. This experimental approach should enable the preparation of fully defined complexes whose properties can be better related to their biological activity.