Synthesis of a novel water-soluble polyazobenzene dendrimer and photoregulation of affinity toward DNA

A novel water-soluble polyazobenzene dendrimer modified with L-lysines at t he periphery was synthesized. The results from light scattering and gel fil tration chromatography showed that the particle size is controllable upon U V or visible light irradiation. Furthermore, a gel shift assay with plasmid DNA and an electrophoretic light scattering analysis demonstrated that the affinity of this cationic dendrimer toward DNA is photo-controllable on th e basis of zeta potential alteration on dendrimer's surface.