Issue 9, 2016

Controlling amphiphilic copolymer self-assembly morphologies based on macrocycle/anion recognition and nucleotide-induced payload release

Abstract

We report here a new approach for creating diversiform copolymer-derived self-assembly morphologies that relies on macrocycle/anion recognition in aqueous media. This approach exploits the anion binding features of a water-soluble form of the so-called ‘Texas-sized’ molecular box. When this tetracationic receptor is added to an aqueous solution of an amphiphilic copolymer bearing tethered carboxylate anion substituents, binding occurs to form a macrocycle/polymer complex. As the concentration of the box-like receptor increases, the relative hydrophilic fraction of the copolymer complex likewise increases. This leads to changes in the overall morphology of the self-assembled ensemble. The net result is an environmentally controllable system that mimics on a proof-of-concept level the structural evolution of organelles seen in living cells. The macrocycle/anion interactions respond in differing degrees to three key biological species, namely ATP, ADP, and AMP, which may be used as “inputs” to induce disassembly of these vehicles. As a result of this triggering and the nature of the morphological changes induced, the present copolymer system is capable of capturing and releasing in a controlled manner various test payloads, including hydrophobic and hydrophilic fluorophores. The copolymer displays a low inherent cytotoxicity as inferred from cell proliferation assays involving the HUVEC and HepG2 cell lines.

Graphical abstract: Controlling amphiphilic copolymer self-assembly morphologies based on macrocycle/anion recognition and nucleotide-induced payload release

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
28 apr 2016
Accepted
24 mei 2016
First published
24 mei 2016
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 6006-6014

Controlling amphiphilic copolymer self-assembly morphologies based on macrocycle/anion recognition and nucleotide-induced payload release

X. Ji, H. Wang, Y. Li, D. Xia, H. Li, G. Tang, J. L. Sessler and F. Huang, Chem. Sci., 2016, 7, 6006 DOI: 10.1039/C6SC01851C

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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