DNA affinity to biological membranes is enhanced due to complexation with hydrophobized polycation

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Abstract
The interaction of negatively charged liquid phosphatidylcholine/cardiolipin liposomes with water‐soluble negatively charged DNA/cetylpyridinium bromide and DNA/poly(N‐alkyl‐4‐vinylpyridinium bromide) complexes was studied. It is shown that the DNA/cetylpyridinium bromide complex while interacting with the liposomes is destroyed, so that the cetylpyridinium cation is incorporated into the liposomal membrane and DNA remains in the solution. The DNA/poly‐(N‐ethyl‐4‐vinylpyridinium bromide) complex does not interact at all with the liposomes. On the contrary, the complex of DNA with the poly(vinylpyridinium) cation carrying a small amount of N‐cetyl groups is adsorbed on the membrane as a whole. The data obtained indicate that complexation of DNA with hydrophobized polycations can be used for enhancing DNA affinity to biological membranes.