Abstract
In this review, we explore the potential applications of functionalized folic acid-polymer nanoparticles in nucleic acids delivery. Folic acid-chitosan (carbohydrates) and folic acid-PAMAM (dendrimers) of different polymer sizes were used to conjugate with DNA and tRNA in vitro. Thermodynamic analysis showed that conjugation of DNA and tRNA to nanoparticles occurred via hydrophilic, hydrophobic, H-bonding and van der Waals contacts. Major alterations of DNA and RNA morphology occurred by nanocarrier interaction. These results indicate that functionalized folic acid-nanoparticles can deliver DNA and RNA to target sites.
Keywords
DNA, tRNA, Gene delivery, Folic acid-polymer, Thermodynamics, Transmission electron microscopy