CHARACTERIZATION, CELL UPTAKE, AND SUBCELLULAR-DISTRIBUTION OF DNA COMPLEXES WITH LIPOGLUTAMIDES HAVING TETRAETHYLENE GLYCOL TAILS

Lipoglutamides with tetraethylene glycol tails were synthesized. Physi cochemical features of the DNA/lipoglutamide complexes were investigat ed by light scattering method, phase transition, and CD-spectrum. Aggr egation of the DNA/lipoglutamide complex was significantly depressed c ompared with DNA complexes without ethylene glycol tails, and the solu tion showed no turbidity. The DNA/lipoglutamide complex showed a high resistance to nuclease, and an efficient internalization into tumor ce lls, compared with those of DNA alone. Furthermore, the DNA complex wa s found by confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy to distribu te in the cytoplasmic region.