Self-assembly of a novel Cu(ii) coordination complex forms metallo-vesicles that are able to transfect mammalian cells. (8th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pal, Sarit; Islam, Md Tariqul; Moore, James T.; Reyes, Jesus; Pardo, Andrew; Varela-Ramirez, Armando; Noveron, Juan C.
• Is Part Of: New journal of chemistry. Volume 41:Number 19(2017)
• Page Start: 11230
• Page End: 11237
• Publication Date: 2017-09-08
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chimie -- Périodiques; 540
• DOI: 10.1039/c7nj02161e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1144-0546

Abstract

Abstract : Coordination-directed self-assembly of a Cu(ii ) amphiphilic complex forms homogeneous nanometer-sized metallo-vesicles in water with low toxicity and gene transfection properties. Abstract : Herein, we report the synthesis of amphiphilic bis-(4-pyridylmethyl hexadecanoate)-(1, 4, 7-triazacyclononane) copper(ii ) triflate, referred to as Complex 1, which forms metallo-vesicles in water by exploiting the principles of supramolecular chemistry. Extruded metallo-vesicles showed an average particle size of about 33 nm, which was revealed by transmission electron microscopy. The 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50 ) of Complex 1 was determined to be 1.25 mM in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293-T), and through flow cytometry, it was revealed that these metallo-vesicles could deliver a reporter gene pEGFPN1 to HEK 293-T cells measured. In addition, a non-amphiphilic structural analog, namely bipyridine-(1, 4, 7-triazacyclononane) copper(ii ) triflate, hereafter called Complex 2, was synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography to reveal the coordination sphere around the copper(ii ) ion in Complex 1. This study suggests that transition metal-mediated self-assembly can be employed to form low-cost complex nanoparticles having low toxicity and gene transfection properties.