A novel polysaccharide/polynucleotide complex and its application to bio-functional dna delivery system

Abstract

β-1,3-glucans such as schizophyllan (SPG) and curdlan can form a novel complex with polynucleotides through hydrogen bonding between the two main chain glucoses and the one nucleotide base. The complex can be used as carriers for therapeutically functional polynucleotides such as antisense DNA, siRNA and CpG ODN. Cellular uptake efficiency of the complexes was remarkably enhanced by attaching functional groups that can be recognized by cells. Recent immunology revealed that a receptor dectin-1, normally expressed on antigen presenting cells (APCs) such as macrophages and dendritic cells, can recognize β-1,3-glucans. This fact suggests that the complex can deliver the bound DNA to the APCs. The present article reviews the fundamental and structural studies of this novel complex as well as a recent result for applying its complex to DNA carriers. © 2009 The Society of Polymer Science,.