Non-covalent anchoring of oligonucleotides on single-walled carbon nanotubes via short bioreducible linker

Abstract

A novel, simple and convenient approach to assemble non-covalent hybrids of carbon nanotubes with therapeutic oligonucleotides immobilized by means of biodegradable linker is described. Model RNA, DNA and 2′-O-methyl RNA oligonucleotides were anchored on the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes using pyrene anchor groups introduced onto the 5′-termini via short linker containing bioreducible disulfide bond or via stable linker of the similar length, as a control. To optimize the conditions of non-covalent functionalization, the adsorption of oligonucleotides' pyrene conjugates on the carbon nanotubes surface has been studied. The exposure of hybrids to glutathione at physiological concentrations has been shown to cause the release of oligonucleotides anchored via bioreducible linker only. The kinetic parameters of the oligonucleotides release have been determined for the first time. The results obtained can be useful for the design of carbon nanotubes-based nanoconstructions and biomaterials.