pH-Responsive and Gemcitabine-Containing DNA Nanogel To Facilitate the Chemodrug Delivery

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b14892
• Publication Date: 2019-10-11T13:25:12Z
• Authors: Gaifang Pan; Quanbing Mou; Yuan Ma; Fei Ding; Jiao Zhang; Yuanyuan Guo; Xiangang Huang; Qifeng Li; Xinyuan Zhu; Chuan Zhang
• Keywords: Nanogel

Herein, we construct a structure-switchable gemcitabine (Ge)-containing DNA nanogel that can respond to the intracellular acidic environment, subsequently facilitating chemodrug release inside cells. Based on structural similarity between Ge and deoxycytidine (dC), dC nucleotides in component strands used for assembly are fully replaced by during their synthesis. By changing designed sequences, two Ge-containing Y-shaped motifs with different sticky ends first assembled then associated together form sticky-end hybridizations. In particular, one of sequences is arbitrarily be rich other partially complementary Ge-rich end. At neutral or basic condition, hybridize second Y motifs, keeping stable. Upon being exposed intend intramolecular i-motif-like quadruplex structures, resulting disassembly nanogel. On hand, nanosized feature enables rapid cellular uptake behavior. pH-responsive endows facilitate enzymatic drug cell, enhanced anticancer activity DNA-based delivery system.