DNA Complexing with Polyamidoamine Dendrimers:  Implications for Transfection

DNA and polyamidamine (PAMAM) dendrimers form complexes on the basis of the electrostatic interactions between negatively charged phosphate groups of the nucleic acid and protonated (positively charged) amino groups of the polymers. Charge neutralization of both components and subsequent increases of the net positive charge of the complex result in changes in the physicochemistry and biological properties of the complexes. The formation of soluble, low-density and insoluble, high-density complexes was analyzed using UV light absorption and measurements of radioactive labeled DNA. Formation of high molecular weight and high-density complexes depended mainly on the DNA concentration and was enhanced by increasing the dendrimer-DNA charge ratio. Electrostatic charge related effects (attraction or repulsion of charged particles) appeared to be modulated by the generation of dendrimer (size of the polymer). With the progressive increases in the dendrimer-DNA charge ratio (above 20), an increase in the amount of low-density, soluble complexes was observed. Functional analysis revealed that the great majority (>90%) of transfection is carried by low-density, soluble, complexes which only represent approximately 10-20% of total complexed DNA. The ability of the dendrimer to complex and form aggregates with DNA is crucial for efficient transfection and the function of the complexed DNA.