Sensitive Probing of DNA Binding to a Cationic Lipid Monolayer

摘要

The vibrational response of interfacial water has been used to obtain novel information on the interaction of cationic lipids and DNA. The DNA-lipid complexation induces a dramatic restructuring of surface water. We find that less than one monolayer of water remains between the DNA and the lipid, and that the water reorients. The approach presented here allows for the quantification of the DNA-lipid association constant, which is important for lipid-based transfection agents.