Gallic Acid-Triethylene Glycol Aptadendrimers Synthesis, Biophysical Characterization and Cellular Evaluation

Herein, we describe the synthesis of an aptadendrimer by covalent bioconjugation of a gallic acid-triethylene glycol (GATG) dendrimer with the G-quadruplex (G4) AT11 aptamer (a modified version of AS1411) at the surface. We evaluated the loading and interaction of an acridine orange ligand, termed C...

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Main Authors: André Miranda (Author), Roi Lopez-Blanco (Author), Jéssica Lopes-Nunes (Author), Ana M. Melo (Author), Maria Paula Cabral Campello (Author), António Paulo (Author), Maria Cristina Oliveira (Author), Jean-Louis Mergny (Author), Paula A. Oliveira (Author), Eduardo Fernandez-Megia (Author), Carla Cruz (Author)
Format: Book
Published: MDPI AG, 2022-11-01T00:00:00Z.
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Summary:Herein, we describe the synthesis of an aptadendrimer by covalent bioconjugation of a gallic acid-triethylene glycol (GATG) dendrimer with the G-quadruplex (G4) AT11 aptamer (a modified version of AS1411) at the surface. We evaluated the loading and interaction of an acridine orange ligand, termed C<sub>8,</sub> that acts as an anticancer drug and binder/stabilizer of the G4 structure of AT11. Dynamic light scattering experiments demonstrated that the aptadendrimer was approximately 3.1 nm in diameter. Both steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy evidenced the interaction between the aptadendrimer and C<sub>8</sub>. Additionally, we demonstrated that the iodine atom of the C<sub>8</sub> ligand acts as an effective intramolecular quencher in solution, while upon complexation with the aptadendrimer, it adopts a more extended conformation. Docking studies support this conclusion. Release experiments show a delivery of C<sub>8</sub> after 4 h. The aptadendrimers tend to localize in the cytoplasm of various cell lines studied as demonstrated by confocal microscopy. The internalization of the aptadendrimers is not nucleolin-mediated or by passive diffusion, but via endocytosis. MTT studies with prostate cancer cells and non-malignant cells evidenced high cytotoxicity mainly due to the C<sub>8</sub> ligand. The rapid internalization of the aptadendrimers and the fluorescence properties make them attractive for the development of potential nanocarriers.
Item Description:10.3390/pharmaceutics14112456
1999-4923