Ferrocene-Containing Cationic Lipids: Influence of Redox State on Cell Transfection

• Published in: Journal of the American Chemical Society Vol. 127; no. 33; pp. 11576 - 11577
• Main Authors: Abbott, Nicholas L, Jewell, Christopher M, Hays, Melissa E, Kondo, Yukishige, Lynn, David M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 24.08.2005
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cations - chemistry; Cercopithecus aethiops; COS Cells; DNA - chemistry; Electrochemistry; Ferrous Compounds - chemistry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Green Fluorescent Proteins - chemistry; Lipids - chemistry; Metallocenes; Microscopy, Fluorescence - methods; Molecular biophysics; Oxidation-Reduction; Physical chemistry in biology; Transfection; Quaternary ammonium compound; Electric potential; Oxidation reduction; Transfection; Lipids; Aqueous solution; Electrochemical reaction; Fluorescence microscopy
• ISSN: 0002-7863; 1520-5126
• DOI: 10.1021/ja054038t

A ferrocene-containing, redox-active cationic lipid that can be transformed using electrochemical methods yields large differences in cell transfection depending on the oxidation state of the lipid. Expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein and firefly luciferase occurs at very high levels when DNA lipoplexes are formulated using the lipid in the reduced state. In contrast, transfection is negligible when oxidized lipid is used. These observations suggest the basis of a general method that could be used to transform inactive lipoplex formulations to an active form through the application of externally applied electrical potentials. The ability to activate lipoplexes toward transfection electrochemically and “on demand” could create new opportunities to deliver DNA in vitro and in vivo with both spatial and temporal control.