Abstract
Copolymers of 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) or Af,.ZV'-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) were synthesized with various comonomer feed ratios (30 : 70, 50 : 50, and 70 : 30). Charge densities along the polymeric chain were changed in a pHdependent manner. The copolymers induced membrane fusion of negatively charged liposomes followed by aggregation in a pH-dependent manner, which was investigated by resonance energy transfer. It was found that pH-dependent fusion of liposomes was dependent on the composition of 4VP and DEAEMA in the copolymer with the degree of protonation proportional to the difference in pK value of the two monomers.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2305-2309 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Polymer Science, Part A: Polymer Chemistry |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 14 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 15 Jul 1999 |
Keywords
- Liposome
- Membrane fusion
- Ph-sensitive polymer
- Resonance energy transfer