Heparin versus DNA: Chiral preferences in polyanion binding to self-assembled multivalent (SAMul) nanostructures

Abstract

This communication presents simple cationic self-assembling multivalent (SAMul) first generation dendrons based on l or d lysine, which form identical nanoscale assemblies in terms of dimensions and charge densities but toward which DNA and heparin exhibit different chiral binding preferences. However, higher generation dendrons with larger hydrophilic head groups are bound identically by these polyanions, irrespective of chirality. We propose that well-organized chiral ligands on the surface of self-assembled nanostructures can exhibit enantioselective polyanion binding. This demonstrates that small structural changes can be amplified by self-assembly and impact on nanoscale binding.