A Theoretical and Experimental Approach to the Compaction Process of DNA by Dioctadecyldimethylammonium Bromide/Zwitterionic Mixed Liposomes Alberto Rodríguez-Pulido Alberto Martín-Molina César Rodríguez-Beas Oscar Llorca Emilio Aicart Elena Junquera 10.1021/jp906777g.s001 https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/A_Theoretical_and_Experimental_Approach_to_the_Compaction_Process_of_DNA_by_Dioctadecyldimethylammonium_Bromide_Zwitterionic_Mixed_Liposomes/2810251 The compaction of DNA by cationic liposomes constituted by a mixture of a cationic lipid, dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB), and a zwitterionic lipid, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) or 1,2-dilauroyl-<i>sn</i>-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DLPC), has been evaluated by means of experimental studies (electrophoretic mobility, conductometry, cryogenic electron transmission microscopy or cryo-TEM, and fluorescence spectroscopy) as well as theoretical calculations. This information reveals that DODAB/DOPE and DODAB/DLPC liposomes are mostly spherical and unilamellar, with a mean diameter of around 70 and 61 nm, respectively, a bilayer thickness of 4.5 nm, and gel-to-fluid transition temperatures, <i>T</i><sub>m</sub>, of around 19 and 28 °C, respectively. Their positively charged surfaces efficiently compact the negatively charged DNA by means of a strong entropically driven surface interaction that yields DODAB/DOPE−DNA and DODAB/DLPC−DNA lipoplexes as confirmed by zeta potential and ethidium bromide fluorescence intercalation assays. These experiments have permitted as well the evaluation of the different microenvironments of varying polarity of the DNA helix, liposomes, and/or lipoplexes. DODAB/DOPE−DNA and DODAB/DLPC−DNA lipoplexes have been characterized by isoneutrality ratios (<i>L</i>/<i>D</i>)<sub>ϕ</sub> of around 4.7 and 4.8, respectively, a more fluid membrane than that of the parent liposomes, and <i>T</i><sub>m</sub> around 24 and 28 °C, respectively, as revealed by fluorescence anisotropy. Cryo-TEM micrographs reveal a rich scenario of nanostructures and morphologies, from unilamellar DNA-coated liposomes to multilamellar lipoplexes passing through cluster-like structures. Phase diagrams (aggregation and re-entrant condensation phenomena), calculated by means of a phenomenological theory, have confirmed the experimental concentration domains and the isoneutrality conditions. The influence of helper lipid in the compaction process, as well as the optimum choice among those herein chosen, has been analyzed. 2009-11-26 00:00:00 DLPC 61 nm dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide cationic liposomes bilayer thickness multilamellar lipoplexes cationic lipid Compaction Process isoneutrality ratios concentration domains Phase diagrams surface interaction ethidium bromide fluorescence intercalation assays 4.5 nm fluorescence spectroscopy Experimental Approach zwitterionic lipid isoneutrality conditions cryogenic electron transmission microscopy parent liposomes fluid membrane compaction process DODAB DNA helix DOPE fluorescence anisotropy electrophoretic mobility helper lipid