Effects of charge density and hydrophobicity of ionene polymer on cell binding and viability

The binding of cationic ionenes onto budding protoplast was investigated an d the results were associated with the cell viability. There are critical n umbers of carbon atoms to induce effective cell disruption and cell binding . The longer the alkyl chain of the ionene, the lower the concentration at which cell disruption occurs. The ionenes with increased charge density und ergo effective binding, while almost 2 orders of magnitude higher concentra tion are required for effective cell disruption. These results were associa ted with the cooperativity of the binding process, which induces local stre ss and solubilization of the lipid membrane.