Mechanism of DNA Double Helix Cleavage by beta-Glucan: Transition Behaviors between Chemical Quantum States

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K20449
• Project/Area Number (Other): 19H05531 (2019)
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Pioneering)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund (2020); Single-year Grants (2019)
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 35:Polymers, organic materials, and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Kitakyushu
• Principal Investigator: Sakurai Kazuo 北九州市立大学, 環境技術研究所, 教授 (70343431)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 化学的量状態 / 多糖核酸複合体 / 小角X線散乱 / プラトニックミセル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We discovered a phenomenon where spherical micelles with an aggregation number below 30 become truly monodisperse and exhibit quantized values of 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 20, and 24. We named this new type of micelle "Platonic Micelle". Furthermore, we demonstrated that β-1,3-D-glucan schizophyllan (SPG) forms a novel 1:2 triple-helix complex with oligo-deoxyadenylic acid (dAX). These complexes were characterized using gel permeation chromatography, multi-angle light scattering, and synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering. The oligo-DNA/polysaccharide complexes hold promise as tools for delivering therapeutic oligonucleotides to immune cells expressing β-1,3-D-glucan receptors. These phenomena can be understood as "chemical quantum states," representing extremely stable supramolecular assemblies. Our findings offer a robust platform for characterizing these complexes, which is crucial for advancing nanomedicine regulatory science and transferring drug candidates into clinical trials.

Free Research Field

高分子物理化学、生体高分子

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

プラトニックミセルと多糖核酸複合体の発見は、「化学的量子状態」としての超分子集合体の理解を深め、医療およびバイオテクノロジー分野に革命的な影響を与える。プラトニックミセルは、自己組織化現象の新しい理論的枠組みを提供し、ドラッグデリバリーシステムの設計に新しい指針を示す。一方、多糖核酸複合体は、免疫細胞に特異的に結合する核酸医薬の開発を加速し、ガンや感染症の新しい治療法を促進する。