Polyethylenimine (MW 1800)

Biological Activity

Polyethylenimine is a surfactant that acts as a polyelectrolyte multilayer on a charged surface, providing that surface with a biocompatible coat. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a hydrophilic cationic polymer widely used as a nonviral nucleotide delivery reagent.

Polyethyleneimine can be used as a non-viral synthetic polymer vector for in vivo delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids. The interaction between negatively charged nucleic acids and positively charged polymer backbone results in the formation of nano-sized complexes. This neutralized complex protects the enclosed nucleic acid from enzymes and maintains its stability till the cellular uptake takes place. For example, human serum albumin conjugated PEI shows good pDNA transfection and low toxicity.

PEI can be used to functionalize single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) to improve their solubility and biocompatibility while maintaining the structural integrity of the original SWNT. Covalently functionalized SWNTs find application in CO2 absorption and gene delivery.

Chemical Information

Molecular Weight	1800
Formula	H(NHCH2CH2)nNH2
CAS Number	9002-98-6
Form	viscous liquid
Solubility (25°C)	miscible with water and ethylene glycol soluble in ethanol
Storage	RT, protect from light

References

[1] Yu Zou et al. Macromol Biosci. Polyethylenimine-Based Nanogels for Biomedical Applications

[2] Fei Hao et al. Curr Med Chem. Polyethylenimine-based Formulations for Delivery of Oligonucleotides

[3] Patti A Longo et al. Methods Enzymol. Transient mammalian cell transfection with polyethylenimine (PEI)

[4] Paola Vicennati et al. Curr Med Chem. Polyethylenimine in medicinal chemistry

[5] Barbara Demeneix et al. Adv Genet. Polyethylenimine (PEI)