Process of making a compound by forming a polymer from a template drug

Abstract

A method of forming polymers in the presence of nucleic acid using template polymerization. Also, a method of having the polymerization occur in heterophase systems. These methods can be used for the delivery of nucleic acids, for condensing the nucleic acid, for forming nucleic acid binding polymers, for forming supramolecular complexes containing nucleic acid and polymer, and for forming an interpolyelectrolyte complex.

1 . A method for delivering a nucleic acid to a cell, comprising: 
 a) noncovalently associating polymers with the nucleic acid in a solution outside a cell;    b) forming covalent linkages between moieties of the polymers in the presence of the nucleic acid, thereby forming a complex; and,    c) delivering the complex to the cell.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polymers are selected from the group consisting of polycations and polyanions.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising attaching molecules to the polymers.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the molecules consist of targeting groups.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the targeting groups are selected from the group consisting of nuclear localizing signals, ligands that bind to cellular receptors, and releasing signals.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the molecules are selected from the group consisting of amphipathic, hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: mixing the complex with a second polymer of opposite charge to the polymers of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the net charge of the complex is changed.  
     
     
         9 . A method of making a complex for delivery to a cell, comprising: 
 a) non-covalently associating a molecule with a nucleic acid in a solution outside a cell; and,    b) covalently modifying the molecule in the presence of the nucleic acid without chemically modifying the polyion thereby providing a deliverable complex.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the complex is in a hypertonic solution.  
     
     
         11 . A method of making a stabilized complex for delivery to a cell, comprising: 
 a) non-covalently associating polymers with a nucleic acid outside a cell to form a complex;    b) forming covalent linkages between moieties of the polymers in the presence of the nucleic acid, thereby forming a stabilized complex.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the polymers comprise polycations.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising: covalently attaching molecules to the polycations.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the molecules consist of targeting groups.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the targeting groups are selected from the group consisting of nuclear localizing signals, ligands that bind to cellular receptors, and releasing signals.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the ligand comprises galactose.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the molecules are selected from the group consisting of amphipathic, hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds.