DQAsomes as the prototype of mitochondria-targeted pharmaceutical nanocarriers: preparation, characterization, and use.

DQAsomes (dequalinium-based liposome-like vesicles) are the prototype for all mitochondria-targeted vesicular pharmaceutical nanocarrier systems. First described in 1998, they have been successfully explored for the delivery of DNA and low-molecular weight molecules to mitochondria within living mammalian cells. Potential areas of application involve mitochondrial gene therapy, antioxidant therapy as well as apoptosis-based anticancer chemotherapy. Here, detailed protocols for the preparation, characterization, and application of DQAsomes are given.