Self-assembly of c-myc DNA promoted by a single enantiomer ruthenium complex as a potential nuclear targeting gene carrier

Abstract

Gene therapy has long been limited in the clinic, due in part to the lack of safety and efficacy of the gene carrier. Herein, a single enantiomer ruthenium(II) complex, Λ-[Ru(bpy)2(p-BEPIP)](ClO4)2 (Λ-RM0627, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, p-BEPIP = 2-(4-phenylacetylenephenyl)imidazole [4,5f][1, 10] phenanthroline), has been synthesized and investigated as a potential gene carrier that targets the nucleus. In this report, it is shown that Λ-RM0627 promotes self-assembly of c-myc DNA to form a nanowire structure. Further studies showed that the nano-assembly of c-myc DNA that induced Λ-RM0627 could be efficiently taken up and enriched in the nuclei of HepG2 cells. After treatment of the nano-assembly of c-myc DNA with Λ-RM0627, over-expression of c-myc in HepG2 cells was observed. In summary, Λ-RM0627 played a key role in the transfer and release of c-myc into cells, which strongly indicates Λ-RM0627 as a potent carrier of c-myc DNA that targets the nucleus of tumor cells.

Shining New Light on Biological Systems: Luminescent Transition Metal Complexes for Bioimaging and Biosensing Applications

“…Additionally, both enantiomers can bind to and stabilize G-quadruplex DNA. 463,464 However, they exhibit enantioselectivity in the self-assembly of c-myc G-quadruplex DNA. The Λ-isomer promotes the self-assembly of c-myc G-quadruplex DNA into a nanowire structure, while the Δ-isomer induces DNA condensation into G-quadruplex aggregates.…”

“…The specific nuclear uptake of the Λ-isomer occurs via an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent active transport mechanism following cellular internalization through endocytosis. Additionally, both enantiomers can bind to and stabilize G-quadruplex DNA. , However, they exhibit enantioselectivity in the self-assembly of c-myc G-quadruplex DNA. The Λ-isomer promotes the self-assembly of c - myc G-quadruplex DNA into a nanowire structure, while the Δ-isomer induces DNA condensation into G-quadruplex aggregates.…”

Preparation of Ru(ii)@oligonucleotide nanosized polymers as potential tumor-imaging luminescent probes

“…1A and B. Abundant lacunose DNA particles and Ru(II) molecules associated with each other into a higher ordered conglomerate and self-assembled into nanosized polymers. 32 Both 1 and 2@oligonucleotides displayed an irregular rotundity shaped. The 1@oligonucleotide nanosized polymers had an average width of 116-170 nm and an average height of 3-5 nm.…”