Amphiphilic dendrons with a pyrene functional group at the focal point: synthesis, self-assembly and generation-dependent DNA condensation. Issue 33 (3rd August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Han, Yi; Zhu, Bo; Chen, Ying; Bo, Zhishan; Chen, Yulan
• Is Part Of: Polymer chemistry. Volume 8:Issue 33(2017)
• Page Start: 4798
• Page End: 4804
• Publication Date: 2017-08-03
• Subjects: Polymers -- Periodicals; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1039/c7py01052d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-9954

Abstract

Abstract : Dendritic amphiphiles with a dual-functional pyrene as a fluorescent probe and hydrophobe at the focal point exhibited generation-dependent self-assembly and DNA condensation. Abstract : A novel class of amphiphilic dendrons with a pyrene functional group at the focal point was designed and synthesized. The self-assembly and DNA condensation behaviors of these pyrene-functionalized amphiphilic dendrons were investigated in detail. The size of dendritic wedges, together with the fluorescent pyrene hydrophobe significantly influenced their supramolecular assembly behaviors and DNA condensation. Anisotropic 1D nanostructures were formed owing to their amphiphilic nature and the synergic effect of non-covalent interactions. Furthermore, the complexes formed by the cationic dendrons and DNA were well characterized, demonstrating these dendritic amphiphiles as promising candidates for efficient and functional gene carriers. Interestingly, the condensation efficiency of these pyrene based supramolecular nanostructures towards DNA could be conveniently controlled by the generation of dendrons, which will make them potentially applicable in many fields of medicinal science and biotechnology.