A reliable method for detecting complexed DNA in vitro

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Author(s)
Holladay, C.
Keeney, M.
Newland, B.
Mathew, Asha
Wang, W.
Pandit, A.
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2010
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Quantification of eluted nucleic acids is a critical parameter in characterizing biomaterial based gene-delivery systems. The most commonly used method is to assay samples with an intercalating fluorescent dye such as PicoGreenHowever, this technique was developed for unbound DNA and the current trend in gene delivery is to condense DNA with transfection reagents, which interfere with intercalation. Here, for the first time, the DNA was permanently labeled with the fluorescent dye Cy5 prior to complexation, an alternative technique hypothesized to allow quantification of both bound and unbound DNA. A comparison of the two ...
View more >Quantification of eluted nucleic acids is a critical parameter in characterizing biomaterial based gene-delivery systems. The most commonly used method is to assay samples with an intercalating fluorescent dye such as PicoGreenHowever, this technique was developed for unbound DNA and the current trend in gene delivery is to condense DNA with transfection reagents, which interfere with intercalation. Here, for the first time, the DNA was permanently labeled with the fluorescent dye Cy5 prior to complexation, an alternative technique hypothesized to allow quantification of both bound and unbound DNA. A comparison of the two methods was performed by quantifying the elution of six different varieties of DNA complexes from a model biomaterial (collagen) scaffold. After seven days of elution, the PicoGreenssay only allowed detection of three types of complexes (those formed using Lipofectin頡nd two synthesised copolymers). However, the Cy5 fluorescent labeling technique enabled detection of all six varieties including those formed via common transfection agents poly(ethylene imine), poly-L-lysine and SuperFect鮠This allowed reliable quantification of the elution of all these complexes from the collagen scaffold. Thus, while intercalating dyes may be effective and reliable for detecting double-stranded, unbound DNA, the technique described in this work allowed reliable quantification of DNA independent of complexation state.
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View more >Quantification of eluted nucleic acids is a critical parameter in characterizing biomaterial based gene-delivery systems. The most commonly used method is to assay samples with an intercalating fluorescent dye such as PicoGreenHowever, this technique was developed for unbound DNA and the current trend in gene delivery is to condense DNA with transfection reagents, which interfere with intercalation. Here, for the first time, the DNA was permanently labeled with the fluorescent dye Cy5 prior to complexation, an alternative technique hypothesized to allow quantification of both bound and unbound DNA. A comparison of the two methods was performed by quantifying the elution of six different varieties of DNA complexes from a model biomaterial (collagen) scaffold. After seven days of elution, the PicoGreenssay only allowed detection of three types of complexes (those formed using Lipofectin頡nd two synthesised copolymers). However, the Cy5 fluorescent labeling technique enabled detection of all six varieties including those formed via common transfection agents poly(ethylene imine), poly-L-lysine and SuperFect鮠This allowed reliable quantification of the elution of all these complexes from the collagen scaffold. Thus, while intercalating dyes may be effective and reliable for detecting double-stranded, unbound DNA, the technique described in this work allowed reliable quantification of DNA independent of complexation state.
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Journal Title
Nanoscale
Volume
2
Issue
12
Copyright Statement
© 2010 Royal Society of Chemistry. This is the author-manuscript version of this paper. Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
Physical Sciences not elsewhere classified
Technology not elsewhere classified
Physical Sciences
Chemical Sciences
Technology