Description
DLin-MC3-DMA
DLin-MC3-DMA (Dilinoleylmethyl-4-dimethylaminobutyrate) is an ionizable cationic lipid widely used in the formulation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for nucleic acid delivery applications, including siRNA, mRNA, and gene therapy systems.
DLin-MC3-DMA is one of the most extensively studied ionizable lipids for RNA delivery due to its ability to efficiently encapsulate nucleic acids while maintaining relatively low toxicity under physiological conditions.
At acidic pH, DLin-MC3-DMA becomes positively charged, enabling strong interaction with negatively charged nucleic acids and facilitating endosomal escape after cellular uptake. At physiological pH, the lipid becomes largely neutral, which helps reduce nonspecific interactions and systemic toxicity.
Key Applications
- mRNA and siRNA delivery
- Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation
- Gene silencing and gene therapy research
- Vaccine delivery systems
- Nucleic acid encapsulation and transfection
Functional Advantages
- Efficient nucleic acid encapsulation
- Promotes endosomal escape and intracellular delivery
- Reduced toxicity at physiological pH due to ionizable behavior
- Suitable for stable lipid nanoparticle formation
- Widely validated for RNA delivery applications
Typical LNP Formulation Components
DLin-MC3-DMA is commonly formulated together with:
- Helper phospholipids (e.g., DSPC)
- Cholesterol
- PEGylated lipids (e.g., DMG-PEG or DSPE-PEG)
to produce stable and effective lipid nanoparticles.
Summary
DLin-MC3-DMA is a leading ionizable lipid material for advanced lipid nanoparticle engineering and nucleic acid delivery applications, particularly in siRNA and mRNA therapeutic systems.







