Synthesis of cationic porphyrins as potential gene transfection carriers

Abstract

Porphyrins are found having strong but reversible interaction with nucleic acid and thus can be used as complementary to other non-viral vectors in gene transfection delivery. Amphiphilic porphyrins with combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic substituents along the peripheral of porphyrin macrocycle were synthesized with an attempt to facilitate the membrane penetration as well as better accumulation on the targeted cells. Besides, their fluorescent properties can be used as marker to identify their localization in the intracellular domain. Adler-Longo condensation method was employed to synthesize basic cationic porphyrins and novel asymmetrical amphiphilic cationic porphyrins. All compounds were characterized using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, Ultraviolet (UV) and Infrared (IR) spectroscopy.