Liposome/DNA systems: Correlation between hydrophobicity and DNA conformational changes

CHIARAMONI, N.S., BACCARINI, L.C., TAIRA, M.C., ALONSO, S

J. Biol. Phys

Año: 2008 vol. 34 p. 179 - 188

Abstract In a previous work,we found that liposome hydrophobicity could affect deoxyri- bonucleic acid (DNA)association ef .ciency.Now,we have focused on the possible cor- relation between liposome hydrophobicity and DNA conformation.DNA lyophilized with cationic vesicles with high hydrophobicity changes its conformation into a more condensed form,probably the C form.With noncharged vesicles,it changes its conformation from B to a partial A form.These results contribute to a better understanding of the interaction between DNA and lipids,suggesting there is direct relationship between hydrophobicity and DNA conformation changes:The higher the hydrophobicity factor,the more pronounced the changes in DNA form,to a more condensed form.In a previous work,we found that liposome hydrophobicity could affect deoxyri- bonucleic acid (DNA)association ef .ciency.Now,we have focused on the possible cor- relation between liposome hydrophobicity and DNA conformation.DNA lyophilized with cationic vesicles with high hydrophobicity changes its conformation into a more condensed form,probably the C form.With noncharged vesicles,it changes its conformation from B to a partial A form.These results contribute to a better understanding of the interaction between DNA and lipids,suggesting there is direct relationship between hydrophobicity and DNA conformation changes:The higher the hydrophobicity factor,the more pronounced the changes in DNA form,to a more condensed form.