Starlike Branched and Hyperbranched Biodegradable Polymer Systems as DNA Carriers (Review)

G. P. Vlasov #

# Phone: +7 (812) 323-1050, e-mail: gpvlasov@hg.macro.ru

Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Bol’shoi pr. 31, St . Petersburg, 199004 Russia

Received August 29, 2005; in final form, October 12, 2005

Abstract: The information on the synthesis of new biologically compatible and biologically degradable DNA carriers based on starlike polymer conjugates of proteins (lysine dendrimers and their derivatives) and hyperbranched polyamino acids is reviewed. Their capacity to bind and compact DNA and to provide for transfection is discussed based on results obtained with model systems.

Key words: DNA, polymeric carriers; starlike and branched polymers, synthesis, structure, properties, interaction with DNA; transfection

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry 2006, 32 (3):205-218