Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Factors Affecting The Association Of Single- And Double-Stranded Rnas With Montmorillonite Nanoclays, A. Gujjari, B. V. Rodriguez, J. Pescador, Corina Maeder, G. W. Beall, L. K. Lewis

Corina Maeder

Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclays exist as single and stacked sheet-like structures with large surface areas that can form stable associations with many naturally occurring biomolecules, including nucleic acids. They have been utilized successfully as vehicles for delivery of both drugs and genes into cells. Most previous studies have focused on interactions of MMT with DNA. In the current study, we have investigated the binding of small RNAs similar to those used for RNA interference (RNAi) therapy to two major forms of the clay, Na-MMT and Ca-MMT. Association of both forms of MMT with several double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), including 25mers, 54mers and …