Lipid–nucleic acids interactions as base for organization and expression of cellular genome

Abstract

AbstractAlthough lipid–nucleic acid interactions have been studied, with certain or little progress, for more than 30 years, it is only in recent years that the problem has received particular attention. It should, however, be noted that most studies deal with DNA‐cationic surfactants interactions, whereas DNA‐zwitterionic interactions, which are more complex and close to nature, are poorly investigated. The long‐standing studies of the triple complexes: DNA–phosphatidylcholine liposomes–divalent metal cations allow us to confirm that these complexes are responsible for the formation of not only the structures existing in DNA–cationic liposome complexes but also some other cellular structures. The author proposed hypothesis about the involvement of direct DNA–lipid interactions in the nuclear pore assembly. Only taking into account interactions between DNA and lipids of cellular membrane, one can explain the origin of such structures as nucleoid, nuclear pore, and nuclear matrix. The formation of triple complexes was accompanied by the aggregation and partial fusion of liposomes as was shown by cryo‐TEM technique. The author has presented new data on the structure of triple complexes, which were obtained by phase contrast cryo‐TEM. Biophysical data on the liposomes fusion during triple complex formation and perspective of their computer simulation are also presented. DNA acts as a fusogen in this process and it unwinds in the region of liposomes fusion. The nuclear envelope and pore complexes assembly is provided by membrane vesicles fusion. Author has proposed that the DNA‐induced fusion of zwitterionic liposomes in vitro may suggest the involvement of direct lipids–DNA interaction in nuclear envelope assembly. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010