Chelating systems for use in the delivery of compounds to cells

Abstract

Chelator containing compounds are utilized in the delivery of molecules, polymers, nucleic acids and genes to animal cells. At least one chelator such as crown ether is attached to a polymer and then associated with another polymer such as DNA. An ion is then added to the mixture thereby forming condensed DNA. In condensed form and in complex with the chelator, DNA can be delivered to a cell.

We claim:  
     
         1 ) A process for the delivery of a compound to a cell, comprising: 
 a) associating a chelator with a polymer;    b) delivering the polymer to the cell.    
     
     
         2 ) The process of  claim 1  wherein the polymer comprises a first polymer and a second polymer.  
     
     
         3 ) The process of  claim 2  wherein the first polymer and the second polymer comprise nucleic acids, proteins, genes, antisense polymers, DNA/RNA hybrids, synthetic polymers.  
     
     
         4 ) The process of  claim 3  wherein the chelator comprises a crown ether system.  
     
     
         5 ) The process of  claim 4  wherein the crown ether system comprises covalently binding the crown ether to the second polymer.  
     
     
         6 ) The process of  claim 2  wherein the first polymer comprises a nucleic acid.  
     
     
         7 ) The process of  claim 6  wherein the second polymer comprises a net positive charge.  
     
     
         8 ) The process of  claim 7  wherein the second polymer comprises polyamine.  
     
     
         9 ) The process of  claim 1  further comprising associating a chelator with a polymer and a signal.  
     
     
         10 ) A process for compacting a nucleic acid for delivery to a cell, comprising: 
 a) associating a polychelator with a nucleic acid;    b) delivering the nucleic acid to the cell.    
     
     
         11 ) The complex of  claim 10  wherein associating a polychelator further comprises associating a polychelator and a salt and a nucleic acid.  
     
     
         12 ) A complex for delivering a compound to a cell, comprising: 
 a) a nucleic acid;    b) a polychelator; and,    c) an ion.    
     
     
         13 ) The complex of  claim 12  wherein the complex is less than 500 nanometers in diameter.