Hydroxyapatite–DNA surface adsorption (HAp-DNA adsorption)

Hydroxyapatite–DNA surface adsorption is a physicochemical process involving the binding of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to the surface of hydroxyapatite (HAp), a crystalline calcium phosphate mineral that is the primary inorganic constituent of vertebrate bone and teeth [1]. This interaction is primarily driven by electrostatic attractions between the negatively charged phosphate groups of the DNA backbone and the positively charged calcium ions (C-sites) on the HAp crystal lattice, often supplemented by hydrogen bonding [2]. While not a traditional therapeutic target such as a protein receptor or enzyme, this adsorption phenomenon is extensively utilized in biotechnology for the purification of nucleic acids via hydroxyapatite chromatography [3]. In regenerative medicine and gene therapy, HAp nanoparticles serve as non-viral delivery vehicles, where the adsorption process allows for the stable loading and protection of therapeutic DNA or RNA against enzymatic degradation [4]. Furthermore, the affinity of DNA for hydroxyapatite surfaces is significant in environmental science and archaeology, as it facilitates the long-term preservation of ancient DNA within skeletal remains [5]. Understanding the kinetics and thermodynamics of this interaction is crucial for optimizing the efficiency of gene delivery systems and improving the biocompatibility of bone-integrated medical implants [6].

Other names

DNA-hydroxyapatite bindingHAp-DNA interactionHydroxyapatite-mediated gene deliveryDNA adsorption on calcium phosphate

Electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged phosphate groups of the DNA backbone and the positively charged calcium ions (C-sites) on the hydroxyapatite surface.