Thin multilayer films and microcapsules containing DNA quadruplex motifs

The assembly of multifunctional nanostructures bearing G-quadruplex motifs broadens the prospects of using G-quadruplexes as therapeutic carriers. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of an oligodeoxyguanosine, G15-mer polymer conjugate. We demonstrate that G15-mer oligonucleotides grafted to a polymer chain preserve the ability to self-assemble into ordered structures. The G-quadruplex-polymer conjugates were assembled onto a surface via hybridization with 30-mer cytosine strands, C30-mer, using a layer-by-layer approach to form microcapsules. A mechanism for the sequential assembly of the multilayer films and microcapsules is presented. We further investigate the photophysical behavior of porphyrin TMPyP4 bound to multilayer-coated particles. This study shows that the multilayer films bear residual and functional quadruplex moieties that can be used to effectively bind therapeutic agents. Multilayer microcapsules containing DNA quadruplex motifs are formed by the assembly of G15-PHPMA and C30-mer into thin multilayer films. Film formation leads to functional quadruplex moieties that can be used to effectively bind therapeutic agents.