Influence of Physicochemical Parameters on the in vitro Stability of DNA Tetrahedral Nanostructures
Influence of Physicochemical Parameters on the in vitro Stability of DNA Tetrahedral Nanostructures
Viroja, J.; Rajput, K.; Jain, S.; Bhatia, D. D.
AbstractTetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) are promising nanocarriers due to their structural precision, biocompatibility, and efficient cellular uptake. However, their stability under physiological conditions remains a key challenge. In this study, TDNs were synthesized via a one-pot thermal annealing method and characterized using native PAGE, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential analysis, confirming uniform size (~13 nm) and negative surface charge. Their stability was systematically evaluated across different biological media (DMEM complete, serum-free DMEM, and E3), temperatures (4C, 25C, and 37C), and pH conditions (4.0, 7.0, and 8.5) over 24 h. Results revealed rapid degradation in serum-containing medium, increased instability at higher temperatures, and reduced stability under acidic conditions, while serum-free, lower-temperature, and neutral to mildly basic environments enhanced structural integrity. These findings highlight the strong environmental dependence of TDN stability and provide insights for optimizing their design for biomedical applications.