Physics – Condensed Matter – Soft Condensed Matter
Scientific paper
2002-05-09
Physica A, 310 (2002) 197.
Physics
Condensed Matter
Soft Condensed Matter
Accepted for publication in Physica A
Scientific paper
10.1016/S0378-4371(02)00737-9
Charge inversion of a DNA double helix by an oppositely charged flexible polyelectrolyte (PE) is widely used for gene delivery. It is considered here in terms of discrete charges of DNA. We concentrate on the worst scenario case when in the neutral state of the DNA-PE complex, each of the DNA charges is locally compensated by a PE charge and show that charge inversion exists even in this case. When an additional PE molecule is adsorbed by DNA, its charge gets fractionalized into monomer charges of defects (tails and arches) on the background of the perfectly neutralized DNA. These charges spread all over the DNA eliminating the self-energy of PE. Fractionalization leads to a substantial charge inversion of DNA. We show that fractionalization mechanism charge inversion works also for nonlinear polymers such as dendrimers. Remarkably, such fractionalization happens for adsorption of both PE or dendrimers on a two-dimensional charged lattice, as well. Relation of fractionalization to other mechanisms of charge inversion is discussed.
Nguyen Toan Thang
Shklovskii Boris I.
No associations
LandOfFree
Inversion of DNA charge by a positive polymer via fractionalization of the polymer charge does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Inversion of DNA charge by a positive polymer via fractionalization of the polymer charge, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Inversion of DNA charge by a positive polymer via fractionalization of the polymer charge will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-4342