Enzymatic ‘charging’ of synthetic polymers

Abstract

Actuated by an enzyme, a purely synthetic and chemically neutral polymer chain transforms into a chemically charged cationic structure. This biologically triggered structural change enables the polymer chain to recognize a negatively charged biomolecule (RNA) through electrostatic interactions in aqueous environment. The supramolecular recognition event ultimately leads to the assembly of oppositely charged, artificial and natural polymer chains, into the polyion complex-based nanoparticles.