Gene transfer with a series of lipophilic DNA-binding molecules.

Synthetic gene transfer vectors could be an attractive alternative to biological vehicles for gene therapy. In an effort to improve the previously developed lipopolyamine-mediated transfection technique, various amphiphilic DNA-binding molecules have been synthesized. Besides Transfectam, several lipospermines display very high gene delivery levels. The structure-activity relationship obtained points to the central role played by the polyamine headgroup in condensing the plasmid and binding it to the cell surface, provided the hydrophobic moiety is capable to generate nonmicellar mesomorphic structures. It also highlights other favorable (albeit more speculative) properties shared by protonable lipospermines as compared to quaternary ammonium-bearing lipids, such as their ability to act as a buffer and their strong affinity for chromatin. The former property may prevent the pH decrease along the degradative lysosomial pathway. The ability to bind to chromatin even in the presence of endogeneous polyamines should have two consequences: a nuclear tropism of the transfecting particles and plasmid uncoating in the nucleus by competitive dilution of the lipopolyamine into an ocean of DNA.