Voltammetric and spectroscopic studies on methyl green and cationic lipid bound to calf thymus DNA

Biophys Chem. 2000 Oct 30;87(2-3):179-84. doi: 10.1016/s0301-4622(00)00191-5.

Abstract

DNA interaction with cationic lipids promises to be a versatile and effective synthetic transfection agent. This paper presents the study on binding of a simple artificial cationic lipid, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), to calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) prior to the condensation process, taking methyl green (MG) as a probe. The results show that the CTAB binds to DNA through electrostatic interaction forming a hydrophobic complex, thus changing the micro-environment of duplex of DNA, so the binding state of MG and DNA is changed, and a complex CTAB-CT DNA-MG is formed. This fact suggests a new way to mediate the conformation of molecular assemblies of DNA and lipids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cations
  • Cattle
  • Cetrimonium
  • Cetrimonium Compounds
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry, Physical
  • Circular Dichroism
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • Electrochemistry
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Lipid Metabolism*
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Methyl Green / chemistry
  • Methyl Green / metabolism*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Osmolar Concentration

Substances

  • Cations
  • Cetrimonium Compounds
  • Lipids
  • Methyl Green
  • DNA
  • Cetrimonium