1
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Dowaidar M. Cell-penetrating peptides with nanoparticles hybrid delivery vectors and their uptake pathways. Mitochondrion 2024; 78:101906. [PMID: 38797356 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2024.101906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are molecules that improve the cellular uptake of various molecular payloads that do not easily traverse the cellular membrane. CPPs can be found in pharmaceutical and medical products. The vast majority of cell-penetrating chemicals that are discussed in published research are peptide based. The paper also delves into the various applications of hybrid vectors. Because CPPs are able to carry cargo across the cellular membrane, they are a viable candidate for use as a suitable carrier for a wide variety of cargoes, such as siRNA, nanoparticles, and others. In which we discuss the CPPs, their classification, uptake mechanisms, hybrid vector systems, nanoparticles and their uptake mechanisms, etc. Further in this paper, we discuss CPPs conjugated to Nanoparticles, Combining CPPs with lipids and polymeric Nanoparticles in A Conjugated System, CPPs conjugated to nanoparticles for therapeutic purposes, and potential therapeutic uses of CPPs as delivery molecules. Also discussed the preclinical and clinical use of CPPS, intracellular trafficking of nanoparticles, and activatable and bioconjugated CPPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moataz Dowaidar
- Bioengineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia; Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen Technologies and Carbon Management, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia; Biosystems and Machines Research Center, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
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2
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Del Bene A, D'Aniello A, Tomassi S, Merlino F, Mazzarella V, Russo R, Chambery A, Cosconati S, Di Maro S, Messere A. Ultrasound-assisted Peptide Nucleic Acids synthesis (US-PNAS). ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2023; 95:106360. [PMID: 36913782 PMCID: PMC10024050 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we developed an innovative and easily accessible solid-phase synthetic protocol for Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) oligomers by systematically investigating the ultrasonication effects in all steps of the PNA synthesis (US-PNAS). When compared with standard protocols, the application of the so-obtained US-PNAS approach succeeded in improving the crude product purities and the isolated yields of different PNA, including small or medium-sized oligomers (5-mer and 9-mer), complex purine-rich sequences (like a 5-mer Guanine homoligomer and the telomeric sequence TEL-13) and longer oligomers (such as the 18-mer anti-IVS2-654 PNA and the 23-mer anti-mRNA 155 PNA). Noteworthy, our ultrasound-assisted strategy is compatible with the commercially available PNA monomers and well-established coupling reagents and only requires the use of an ultrasonic bath, which is a simple equipment generally available in most synthetic laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Del Bene
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Antonia D'Aniello
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Stefano Tomassi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Merlino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Mazzarella
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosita Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Angela Chambery
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Salvatore Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy.
| | - Anna Messere
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy.
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3
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Pradeep SP, Malik S, Slack FJ, Bahal R. Unlocking the potential of chemically modified peptide nucleic acids for RNA-based therapeutics. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:434-445. [PMID: 36653113 PMCID: PMC10019372 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079498.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
RNA therapeutics have emerged as next-generation therapy for the treatment of many diseases. Unlike small molecules, RNA targeted drugs are not limited by the availability of binding pockets on the protein, but rather utilize Watson-Crick (WC) base-pairing rules to recognize the target RNA and modulate gene expression. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) present a powerful therapeutic approach to treat disorders triggered by genetic alterations. ASOs recognize the cognate site on the target RNA to alter gene expression. Nine single-stranded ASOs have been approved for clinical use and several candidates are in late-stage clinical trials for both rare and common diseases. Several chemical modifications, including phosphorothioates, locked nucleic acid, phosphorodiamidate, morpholino, and peptide nucleic acids (PNAs), have been investigated for efficient RNA targeting. PNAs are synthetic DNA mimics where the deoxyribose phosphate backbone is replaced by N-(2-aminoethyl)-glycine units. The neutral pseudopeptide backbone of PNAs contributes to enhanced binding affinity and high biological stability. PNAs hybridize with the complementary site in the target RNA and act by a steric hindrance--based mechanism. In the last three decades, various PNA designs, chemical modifications, and delivery strategies have been explored to demonstrate their potential as an effective and safe RNA-targeting platform. This review covers the advances in PNA-mediated targeting of coding and noncoding RNAs for a myriad of therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Pallavi Pradeep
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| | - Shipra Malik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| | - Frank J Slack
- HMS Initiative for RNA Medicine, Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
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4
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Wang F, Liu LS, Li P, Lau CH, Leung HM, Chin YR, Tin C, Lo PK. Cellular uptake, tissue penetration, biodistribution, and biosafety of threose nucleic acids: Assessing in vitro and in vivo delivery. Mater Today Bio 2022; 15:100299. [PMID: 35637854 PMCID: PMC9142632 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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5
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Potentiating the Anti-Tuberculosis Efficacy of Peptide Nucleic Acids through Combinations with Permeabilizing Drugs. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0126221. [PMID: 35171048 PMCID: PMC8849056 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01262-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance warrants for the development of improved treatment approaches. In this regard, peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) have shown great promise, exhibiting antibiotic properties through the targeting of cellular nucleic acids. We aimed to study the efficacy of PNA as an anti-tuberculosis agent. Since the efficacy of PNA is limited by its low penetration into the cell, we also investigated combinatorial treatments using permeabilizing drugs to improve PNA efficacy. Various concentrations of anti-inhA PNA, permeabilizing drugs, and their combinations were screened against extracellular and intracellular mycobacteria.0.625 to 5 μM anti-inhA PNA was observed to merely inhibit the growth of extracellular M. smegmatis, while low intracellular bacterial load was reduced by 2 or 2.5 log-fold when treated with 2.5 or 5 μM PNA, respectively. Anti-inhA PNA against M. tuberculosis H37Ra exhibited bactericidal properties at 2.5 and 5 μM and enabled a slight reduction in intracellular M. tuberculosis at concentrations from 2.5 to 20 μM. Of the permeabilizing drugs tested, ethambutol showed the most permeabilizing potential and ultimately potentiated anti-inhA PNA to the greatest extent, reducing its efficacious concentration to 1.25 μM against both M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis. Furthermore, an enhanced clearance of 1.3 log-fold was observed for ethambutol-anti-inhA PNA combinations against intracellular M. tuberculosis. Thus, permeabilizing drug-PNA combinations indeed exhibit improved efficacies. We therefore propose that anti-inhA PNA could improve therapy even when applied in minute doses as an addition to the current anti-tuberculosis drug regimen. IMPORTANCE Peptide nucleic acids have great potential in therapeutics as anti-gene/anti-sense agents. However, their limited uptake in cells has curtailed their widespread application. Through this study, we explore a PNA-drug combinatorial strategy to improve the efficacy of PNAs and reduce their effective concentrations. This work also focuses on improving tuberculosis treatment, which is hindered by the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is observed that the antibacterial efficacy of anti-inhA PNA is enhanced when it is combined with permeabilizing drugs, particularly ethambutol. This indicates that the addition of even small concentrations of anti-inhA PNA to the current TB regimen could potentiate their therapeutic efficiency. We hypothesize that this system would also overcome isoniazid resistance, since the resistance mutations lie outside the designed anti-inhA PNA target site.
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Malik S, Kumar V, Liu CH, Shih KC, Krueger S, Nieh MP, Bahal R. Head on Comparison of Self- and Nano-assemblies of Gamma Peptide Nucleic Acid Amphiphiles. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2022; 32:2109552. [PMID: 35210986 PMCID: PMC8863176 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202109552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are nucleic acid analogs with superior hybridization properties and enzymatic stability than deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). In addition to gene targeting applications, PNAs have garnered significant attention as bio-polymer due to the Watson-Crick -based molecular recognition and flexibility of synthesis. Here, we engineered PNA amphiphiles using chemically modified gamma PNA (8 mer in length) containing hydrophilic diethylene glycol units at the gamma position and covalently conjugated lauric acid (C12) as a hydrophobic moiety. Gamma PNA (γPNA) amphiphiles self-assemble into spherical vesicles. Further, we formulate nano-assemblies using the amphiphilic γPNA as a polymer via ethanol injection-based protocols. We perform comprehensive head-on comparison of the physicochemical and cellular uptake properties of PNA derived self- and nano-assemblies. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis reveal ellipsoidal morphology of γPNA nano-assemblies that results in superior cellular delivery compate to the spherical self-assembly. Next, we compare the functional activities of γPNA self-and nano-assemblies in lymphoma cells via multiple endpoints, including gene expression, cell viability, and apoptosis-based assays. Overall, we establish that γPNA amphiphile is a functionally active bio-polymer to formulate nano-assemblies for a wide range of biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shipra Malik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Vikas Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Chung-Hao Liu
- Polymer Program, Institute of Material Sciences, University of Connecticut, 191 Auditorium Road, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Kuo-Chih Shih
- Polymer Program, Institute of Material Sciences, University of Connecticut, 191 Auditorium Road, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Susan Krueger
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-6102, USA
| | - Mu-Ping Nieh
- Polymer Program, Institute of Material Sciences, University of Connecticut, 191 Auditorium Road, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
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7
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Shariatinia Z. Big family of nano- and microscale drug delivery systems ranging from inorganic materials to polymeric and stimuli-responsive carriers as well as drug-conjugates. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2021.102790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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8
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Lai Q, Chen W, Zhang Y, Liu Z. Application strategies of peptide nucleic acids toward electrochemical nucleic acid sensors. Analyst 2021; 146:5822-5835. [PMID: 34581324 DOI: 10.1039/d1an00765c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) have attracted tremendous interest in the fabrication of highly sensitive electrochemical nucleic acid biosensors due to their higher stability and increased sensitivity than common DNA probes. The neutral pseudopeptide backbone of PNAs not only makes the PNA/DNA duplexes more stable but also provides many opportunities to construct ultrasensitive nucleic acid sensors. This review presents the details of various protocols for the construction of PNA-based electrochemical nucleic acid sensors. The crucial factors, origin, and development of PNA, immobilization methods of PNA probes and signal generation mechanisms, are discussed. This review aims to provide a reference for ultrasensitive PNA electrochemical biosensor preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingteng Lai
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Super Microstructure and Ultrafast Process, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
| | - Wei Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Super Microstructure and Ultrafast Process, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China. .,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yanke Zhang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Super Microstructure and Ultrafast Process, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
| | - Zhengchun Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Super Microstructure and Ultrafast Process, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
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9
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Novel peptide (RATH) mediated delivery of peptide nucleic acids for antiviral interventions. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:6669-6677. [PMID: 34427763 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11502-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is a chimeric molecule with the nucleobases connected by peptide bonds. This chimeric nature gives the PNA certain therapeutic advantages over natural antisense nucleic acid molecules. The PNA probes are known for its better and stronger complementation with target nucleic acids. However, cellular delivery of PNA is a major hurdle due to the charge-neutral nature of the PNA. For cellular delivery of PNA, peptide-PNA conjugates are used. This approach may face some practical limitation in terms of PNA antisense activity. In this study, we propose a novel RATH-2 peptide-based non-covalent PNA delivery mechanism. We observed RATH-2 shows a favorable molecular interaction with PNA at 16:1 (peptide:PNA) molar ratio resulting in co-centric nanoparticle formation. With this combination, we could achieve as high as 93% cellular delivery of the PNA. The proposed non-covalent RATH:PNA delivery model showed endocytic entrapment free delivery of PNA. The study further demonstrated the therapeutic application of PNA with in vitro antiviral intervention model. Using RATH-2 non-covalent PNA delivery system, we could inhibit 69.5% viral load. The present study demonstrates a cell-penetrating peptide:PNA interaction can lead to nanoparticle formations that facilitated cellular delivery of PNA.Key points• A novel cell-penetrating peptide (RATH-2) was identified for non-covalent delivery of PNA.• RATH-2 and PNA formed co-centric nanoparticles at appropriate molar combination.• PNA delivered through the RATH-2 inhibited the viral gene expression and reduced the viral load.
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10
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Brodyagin N, Katkevics M, Kotikam V, Ryan CA, Rozners E. Chemical approaches to discover the full potential of peptide nucleic acids in biomedical applications. Beilstein J Org Chem 2021; 17:1641-1688. [PMID: 34367346 PMCID: PMC8313981 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.17.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is arguably one of the most successful DNA mimics, despite a most dramatic departure from the native structure of DNA. The present review summarizes 30 years of research on PNA's chemistry, optimization of structure and function, applications as probes and diagnostics, and attempts to develop new PNA therapeutics. The discussion starts with a brief review of PNA's binding modes and structural features, followed by the most impactful chemical modifications, PNA enabled assays and diagnostics, and discussion of the current state of development of PNA therapeutics. While many modifications have improved on PNA's binding affinity and specificity, solubility and other biophysical properties, the original PNA is still most frequently used in diagnostic and other in vitro applications. Development of therapeutics and other in vivo applications of PNA has notably lagged behind and is still limited by insufficient bioavailability and difficulties with tissue specific delivery. Relatively high doses are required to overcome poor cellular uptake and endosomal entrapment, which increases the risk of toxicity. These limitations remain unsolved problems waiting for innovative chemistry and biology to unlock the full potential of PNA in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Brodyagin
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Martins Katkevics
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, Riga, LV-1006, Latvia
| | - Venubabu Kotikam
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Christopher A Ryan
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Eriks Rozners
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
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11
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Khan MM, Filipczak N, Torchilin VP. Cell penetrating peptides: A versatile vector for co-delivery of drug and genes in cancer. J Control Release 2020; 330:1220-1228. [PMID: 33248708 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Biological barriers hamper the efficient delivery of drugs and genes to targeted sites. Cell penetrating peptides (CPP) have the ability to rapidly internalize across biological membranes. CPP have been effective for delivery of various chemotherapeutic agents used to combat cancer. CPP can enhance delivery of drugs to a targeted site when combined with tumor targeting peptides. CPP can be linked with various cargos like nanoparticles, micelles and liposomes to deliver drugs and genes to the cancer cell. Here, we focus on CPP mediated delivery of drugs to the tumor sites, delivery of genes (siRNA,pDNA) and co-delivery of drugs and genes to combat drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Muzamil Khan
- Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicines, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
| | - Nina Filipczak
- Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicines, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Departments of Lipids and Liposomes, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Vladimir P Torchilin
- Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicines, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Oncology, Radiotherapy and Plastic Surgery I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia.
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12
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Ryan C, Rozners E. Impact of Chirality and Position of Lysine Conjugation in Triplex-Forming Peptide Nucleic Acids. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:28722-28729. [PMID: 33195925 PMCID: PMC7659144 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c04021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Conjugation with cationic lysine residues improves the biophysical and biological properties of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). A single lysine is routinely used to improve the solubility and prevent aggregation of the neutral and hydrophobic amide backbone of PNA. Literature precedents include the attachment of lysine at either the N- or the C-terminus. Moreover, conjugation with short lysine peptides (four to eight residues) improves the cellular uptake of PNA akin to more complex cell-penetrating peptides. Herein, we report a systematic study of the effect of lysine location (N- vs C-terminus) and chirality (d- vs l-) on triple-helical binding of PNA to double-stranded RNA and DNA (dsRNA and dsDNA). The results confirmed our earlier findings that conjugation with lysine significantly increased the stability of PNA-dsRNA and PNA-dsDNA triplexes and that PNA affinity for dsRNA was about an order of magnitude higher than for the same sequence of dsDNA. In contrast, conjugation of PNA with noncharged amino acids decreased the affinity of PNA. Surprisingly, neither the location nor the chirality of lysine had significant impact on PNA affinity for either dsRNA or dsDNA. The results are consistent with the lack of chiral preorganization of single-stranded PNAs, even after conjugation with four d- or l-amino acids. Instead, the positive charge of lysine appears to be the main driving force behind the increased affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher
A. Ryan
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University
of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United
States
| | - Eriks Rozners
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University
of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United
States
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13
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Priwitaningrum DL, Jentsch J, Bansal R, Rahimian S, Storm G, Hennink WE, Prakash J. Apoptosis-inducing peptide loaded in PLGA nanoparticles induces anti-tumor effects in vivo. Int J Pharm 2020; 585:119535. [PMID: 32534162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Induction of apoptosis in tumor cells specifically within the complex tumor microenvironment is highly desirable to kill them efficiently and to enhance the effects of chemotherapy. Second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (Smac) is a key pro-apoptotic pathway which can be activated with a Smac mimetic peptide. However, in vivo application of peptides is hampered by several limitations such as poor pharmacokinetics, rapid elimination, enzymatic degradation, and insufficient intracellular delivery. In this study, we developed a nanosystem to deliver a Smac peptide to tumor by passive targeting. We first synthesized a chimeric peptide that consists of the 8-mer Smac peptide and a 14-mer cell penetrating peptide (CPP) and then encapsulated the Smac-CPP into polymeric nanoparticles (Smac-CPP-NPs). In vitro, Smac-CPP-NPs were rapidly internalized by 4T1 mammary tumor cells and subsequently released Smac-CPP into the cells, as shown with fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, Smac-CPP-NPs induced apoptosis in tumor cells, as confirmed with cell viability and caspase 3/7 assays. Interestingly, combination of Smac-CPP-NPs with doxorubicin (dox), a clinically used cytostatic drug, showed combined effects in vitro in 4T1 cells. The effect was significantly better than that of SMAC-CPP-NPs alone as well as empty nanoparticles and dox. In vivo, co-treatment with Smac-CPP-NPs and free dox reduced the tumor growth to 85%. Furthermore, the combination of Smac-CPP-NPs and free dox showed reduced proliferating tumor cells (Ki-67 staining) and increased apoptotic cells (cleaved caspase-3 staining) in tumors. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that the intracellular delivery of Smac-mimetic peptide using nanoparticle system can be an interesting strategy to attenuate the tumor growth and to potentiate the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dwi L Priwitaningrum
- Targeted Therapeutics and Nanomedicine, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands; Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
| | - Julian Jentsch
- Targeted Therapeutics and Nanomedicine, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Ruchi Bansal
- Targeted Therapeutics and Nanomedicine, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Sima Rahimian
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Storm
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wim E Hennink
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
| | - Jai Prakash
- Targeted Therapeutics and Nanomedicine, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
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14
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Taylor RE, Zahid M. Cell Penetrating Peptides, Novel Vectors for Gene Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E225. [PMID: 32138146 PMCID: PMC7150854 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12030225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs), also known as protein transduction domains (PTDs), first identified ~25 years ago, are small, 6-30 amino acid long, synthetic, or naturally occurring peptides, able to carry variety of cargoes across the cellular membranes in an intact, functional form. Since their initial description and characterization, the field of cell penetrating peptides as vectors has exploded. The cargoes they can deliver range from other small peptides, full-length proteins, nucleic acids including RNA and DNA, liposomes, nanoparticles, and viral particles as well as radioisotopes and other fluorescent probes for imaging purposes. In this review, we will focus briefly on their history, classification system, and mechanism of transduction followed by a summary of the existing literature on use of CPPs as gene delivery vectors either in the form of modified viruses, plasmid DNA, small interfering RNA, oligonucleotides, full-length genes, DNA origami or peptide nucleic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. Taylor
- Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
| | - Maliha Zahid
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, USA
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15
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Swenson CS, Heemstra JM. Peptide nucleic acids harness dual information codes in a single molecule. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:1926-1935. [PMID: 32009137 DOI: 10.1039/c9cc09905k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Nature encodes the information required for life in two fundamental biopolymers: nucleic acids and proteins. Peptide nucleic acid (PNA), a synthetic analog comprised of nucleobases arrayed along a pseudopeptide backbone, has the ability to combine the power of nucleic acids to encode information with the versatility of amino acids to encode structure and function. Historically, PNA has been perceived as a simple nucleic acid mimic having desirable properties such as high biostability and strong affinity for complementary nucleic acids. In this feature article, we aim to adjust this perception by highlighting the ability of PNA to act as a peptide mimic and showing the largely untapped potential to encode information in the amino acid sequence. First, we provide an introduction to PNA and discuss the use of conjugation to impart tunable properties to the biopolymer. Next, we describe the integration of functional groups directly into the PNA backbone to impart specific physical properties. Lastly, we highlight the use of these integrated amino acid side chains to encode peptide-like sequences in the PNA backbone, imparting novel activity and function and demonstrating the ability of PNA to simultaneously mimic both a peptide and a nucleic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin S Swenson
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
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16
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Malik S, Asmara B, Moscato Z, Mukker JK, Bahal R. Advances in Nanoparticle-based Delivery of Next Generation Peptide Nucleic Acids. Curr Pharm Des 2019; 24:5164-5174. [PMID: 30657037 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666190117164901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) belong to the next generation of synthetic nucleic acid analogues. Their high binding affinity and specificity towards the target DNA or RNA make them the reagent of choice for gene therapy-based applications. OBJECTIVE To review important gene therapy based applications of regular and chemically modified peptide nucleic acids in combination with nanotechnology. METHOD Selective research of the literature. RESULTS Poor intracellular delivery of PNAs has been a significant challenge. Among several delivery strategies explored till date, nanotechnology-based strategies hold immense potential. Recent studies have shown that advances in nanotechnology can be used to broaden the range of therapeutic applications of PNAs. In this review, we discussed significant advances made in nanoparticle-based on PLGA polymer, silicon, oxidized carbon and graphene oxide for the delivery of PNAs. CONCLUSION Nanoparticles delivered PNAs can be implied in diverse gene therapy based applications including gene editing as well as gene targeting (antisense) based strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shipra Malik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Brenda Asmara
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Zoe Moscato
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Jatinder Kaur Mukker
- Translational Medicine & Clinical Pharmacology, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceutical, Inc. Ridgefield, CT, United States
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
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17
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Stasińska AR, Putaj P, Chmielewski MK. Disulfide bridge as a linker in nucleic acids' bioconjugation. Part II: A summary of practical applications. Bioorg Chem 2019; 95:103518. [PMID: 31911308 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Disulfide conjugation invariably remains a key tool in research on nucleic acids. This versatile and cost-effective method plays a crucial role in structural studies of DNA and RNA as well as their interactions with other macromolecules in a variety of biological systems. In this article we review applications of disulfide-bridged conjugates of oligonucleotides with other (bio)molecules such as peptides, proteins etc. and present key findings obtained with their help.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna R Stasińska
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznań, Poland; FutureSynthesis sp. z o.o. ul. Rubież 46H, 61-612 Poznań, Poland
| | - Piotr Putaj
- FutureSynthesis sp. z o.o. ul. Rubież 46H, 61-612 Poznań, Poland
| | - Marcin K Chmielewski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznań, Poland; FutureSynthesis sp. z o.o. ul. Rubież 46H, 61-612 Poznań, Poland.
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18
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Wang F, Liu LS, Lau CH, Han Chang TJ, Tam DY, Leung HM, Tin C, Lo PK. Synthetic α-l-Threose Nucleic Acids Targeting BcL-2 Show Gene Silencing and in Vivo Antitumor Activity for Cancer Therapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:38510-38518. [PMID: 31556592 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b14324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
We design and synthesize a sequence-defined α-l-threose nucleic acid (TNA) polymer, which is complementary to certain nucleotide sites of target anti-apoptotic proteins, BcL-2 involving in development and progression of tumors. Compared to scramble TNA, anti-BcL-2 TNA significantly suppresses target mRNA and protein expression in cancerous cells and shows antitumor activity in carcinoma xenografts, resulting in suppression of tumor cell growth and induction of tumor cell death. Together with good biocompatibility, very low toxicity, excellent specificity features, and strong binding affinity toward the complementary target RNAs, TNAs become new useful biomaterials and effective alternatives to traditional antisense oligonucleotides including locked nucleic acids, morpholino oligomers, and peptide nucleic acids in antisense therapy. Compared to conventional cancer therapy such as radiotherapy, surgery, and chemotherapy, we anticipate that this TNA-based polymeric system will work effectively in antisense cancer therapy and shortly start to play an important role in practical application.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pik Kwan Lo
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Care , Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong , Shenzhen 518057 , China
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19
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The Utilization of Cell-Penetrating Peptides in the Intracellular Delivery of Viral Nanoparticles. MATERIALS 2019; 12:ma12172671. [PMID: 31443361 PMCID: PMC6747576 DOI: 10.3390/ma12172671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Viral particles (VPs) have evolved so as to efficiently enter target cells and to deliver their genetic material. The current state of knowledge allows us to use VPs in the field of biomedicine as nanoparticles that are safe, easy to manipulate, inherently biocompatible, biodegradable, and capable of transporting various cargoes into specific cells. Despite the fact that these virus-based nanoparticles constitute the most common vectors used in clinical practice, the need remains for further improvement in this area. The aim of this review is to discuss the potential for enhancing the efficiency and versatility of VPs via their functionalization with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), short peptides that are able to translocate across cellular membranes and to transport various substances with them. The review provides and describes various examples of and means of exploitation of CPPs in order to enhance the delivery of VPs into permissive cells and/or to allow them to enter a broad range of cell types. Moreover, it is possible that CPPs are capable of changing the immunogenic properties of VPs, which could lead to an improvement in their clinical application. The review also discusses strategies aimed at the modification of VPs by CPPs so as to create a useful cargo delivery tool.
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20
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Cauteruccio S, Licandro E, Panigati M, D'Alfonso G, Maiorana S. Modifying the properties of organic molecules by conjugation with metal complexes: The case of peptide nucleic acids and of the intrinsically chiral thiahelicenes. Coord Chem Rev 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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21
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Cauteruccio S, Panigati M, Veronese L, Zaffaroni N, Folini M, Licandro E. Luminescent dinuclear rhenium(I) PNA conjugates for microRNA-21 targeting: Synthesis, chemico-physical and biological characterization. J Organomet Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jorganchem.2019.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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22
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Jasiński M, Feig M, Trylska J. Improved Force Fields for Peptide Nucleic Acids with Optimized Backbone Torsion Parameters. J Chem Theory Comput 2018; 14:3603-3620. [PMID: 29791152 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.8b00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids are promising nucleic acid analogs for antisense therapies as they can form stable duplex and triplex structures with DNA and RNA. Computational studies of PNA-containing duplexes and triplexes are an important component for guiding their design, yet existing force fields have not been well validated and parametrized with modern computational capabilities. We present updated CHARMM and Amber force fields for PNA that greatly improve the stability of simulated PNA-containing duplexes and triplexes in comparison with experimental structures and allow such systems to be studied on microsecond time scales. The force field modifications focus on reparametrized PNA backbone torsion angles to match high-level quantum mechanics reference energies for a model compound. The microsecond simulations of PNA-PNA, PNA-DNA, PNA-RNA, and PNA-DNA-PNA complexes also allowed a comprehensive analysis of hydration and ion interactions with such systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Jasiński
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Michigan State University , East Lansing , Michigan 48824 , United States.,Centre of New Technologies , University of Warsaw , Warsaw , Poland
| | - Michael Feig
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Michigan State University , East Lansing , Michigan 48824 , United States
| | - Joanna Trylska
- Centre of New Technologies , University of Warsaw , Warsaw , Poland
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23
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Hayashi T, Shinagawa M, Kawano T, Iwasaki T. Drug delivery using polyhistidine peptide-modified liposomes that target endogenous lysosome. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 501:648-653. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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24
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Stereochemistry as a determining factor for the effect of a cell-penetrating peptide on cellular viability and epithelial integrity. Biochem J 2018; 475:1773-1788. [PMID: 29686042 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20180155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) comprise efficient peptide-based delivery vectors. Owing to the inherent poor enzymatic stability of peptides, CPPs displaying partial or full replacement of l-amino acids with the corresponding d-amino acids might possess advantages as delivery vectors. Thus, the present study aims to elucidate the membrane- and metabolism-associated effects of l-Penetratin (l-PEN) and its corresponding all-d analog (d-PEN). These effects were investigated when exerted on hepatocellular (HepG2) or intestinal (Caco-2 and IEC-6) cell culture models. The head-to-head comparison of these enantiomeric CPPs included evaluation of their effects on cell viability and morphology, epithelial membrane integrity, and cellular ultrastructure. In all investigated cell models, a rapid decrease in cell viability, pronounced membrane perturbation and an altered ultrastructure were detected upon exposure to d-PEN. At equimolar concentrations, these observations were less pronounced or even absent for cells exposed to l-PEN. Both CPPs remained stable for at least 2 h during exposure to proliferating cells (cultured for 24 h), although d-PEN exhibited a longer half-life when compared with that of l-PEN when exposed to well-differentiated cell monolayers (cultured for 18-20 days). Thus, the stereochemistry of the CPP penetratin significantly influences its effects on cell viability and epithelial integrity when profiled against a panel of mammalian cells.
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25
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Liu LS, Leung HM, Tam DY, Lo TW, Wong SW, Lo PK. α-l-Threose Nucleic Acids as Biocompatible Antisense Oligonucleotides for Suppressing Gene Expression in Living Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:9736-9743. [PMID: 29473733 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b01180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Because of the chemical simplicity of α-l-threose nucleic acid (TNA) and its ability to exchange genetic information between itself and RNA, it has attracted significant interest as the RNA ancestor. We herein explore the biological properties and evaluate the potency of sequence-designed TNA polymers to suppress the gene expression in living environments. We found that sequence-specific TNA macromolecules exhibit strong affinity and specificity toward the complementary RNA targets, are highly biocompatible and nontoxic in a living cell system, and readily enter a number of cell lines without using transfecting agents. Particularly, TNA exhibited much stronger enzymatic resistance toward fetal bovine serum or human serum as compared to traditional antisense oligonucleotides, which means that the intrinsic structure of TNA is thoroughly resistant to biological degradation. Importantly, the efficacy of the TNA molecule with green fluorescent protein (GFP) target sequence (anti-GFP TNAs) as antisense agents was first demonstrated in living cells in which these polymers revealed high antisense activity in terms of the degree of inhibition of GFP gene expression. The GFP gene inhibition studies in HeLa and HEK293 cells characterize sequence-controlled TNA as a functional biomaterial and a valuable alternative to traditional antisense oligonucleotides such as peptide nucleic acids, phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers, and locked nucleic acids for a wide range of applications in drug discovery and life science research. Additionally, we also first reported the cost-efficient approach to synthesize the four TNA phosphoramidite monomers using 2-cyanoethyl N, N, N', N'-tetraisopropylphosphoramidite as a key reagent. Furthermore, by increasing the frequency of the deblocking and coupling reactions together with extending their reaction time in each synthesis cycle, sequence-controlled TNAs can be easily synthesized in a quantitative yield and high purity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Sum Liu
- Department of Chemistry , City University of Hong Kong , Tat Chee Avenue , Kowloon Tong , Hong Kong SAR , China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Care , Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong , Shenzhen 518057 , China
| | - Hoi Man Leung
- Department of Chemistry , City University of Hong Kong , Tat Chee Avenue , Kowloon Tong , Hong Kong SAR , China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Care , Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong , Shenzhen 518057 , China
| | - Dick Yan Tam
- Department of Chemistry , City University of Hong Kong , Tat Chee Avenue , Kowloon Tong , Hong Kong SAR , China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Care , Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong , Shenzhen 518057 , China
| | - Tsz Wan Lo
- Department of Chemistry , City University of Hong Kong , Tat Chee Avenue , Kowloon Tong , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Sze Wing Wong
- Department of Chemistry , City University of Hong Kong , Tat Chee Avenue , Kowloon Tong , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Pik Kwan Lo
- Department of Chemistry , City University of Hong Kong , Tat Chee Avenue , Kowloon Tong , Hong Kong SAR , China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Care , Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong , Shenzhen 518057 , China
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26
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Oh E, Liu Y, Sonar MV, Merry DE, Wickstrom E. Fluorescence Imaging of Huntingtin mRNA Knockdown. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 29:1276-1282. [PMID: 29451775 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative genetic disorder caused by CAG repeat expansion in exon 1 of the HTT gene. Expression of the mutant gene results in the production of a neurotoxic polyglutamine (polyQ)-expanded huntingtin (Htt) protein. Clinical trials of knockdown therapy of mutant polyglutamine-encoding HTT mRNA in Huntington's disease (HD) have begun. To measure HTT mRNA knockdown effectiveness in human cells, we utilized a fluorescent hybridization imaging agent specific to the region encompassing the human HTT mRNA initiation codon. We designed, synthesized, purified, and characterized Cal560-spacer-peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-spacer-IGF1 tetrapeptides. The human HTT PNA 12mer complement was CATGGCGGTCTC, while the rat htt equivalent 12mer contained the sequence CATGaCGGcCTC, with two bases differing from the human sequence. The cyclized IGF1 tetrapeptide fragment d(CSKC) that promotes IGF1 receptor-mediated endocytosis was bonded to the C-terminus. We tested the reliability of HTT mRNA imaging with Cal560-spacer-peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-spacer-IGF1 tetrapeptides in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells that express endogenous HTT and IGF1 receptor. By qPCR, we quantitated HTT mRNA in HEK293T cells with and without HTT mRNA knockdown by three different siRNAs. By confocal fluorescence imaging, we quantitated the accumulation of fluorescent HTT hybridization agent in the same cells. A rat homologue differing from the human sequence by two bases showed negligible fluorescence. qPCR indicated 86 ± 5% knockdown of HTT mRNA by the most effective siRNA. Similarly, Cal560- HTT PNA-peptide fluorescence intensity indicated 69 ± 6% reduction in HTT mRNA. We concluded that the fluorescence hybridization method correlates with the established qPCR method for quantitating HTT mRNA knockdown by siRNA in HEK293T cells, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.865 for all three siRNA sequences. These results will enable real time imaging and quantitation of HTT mRNA in animal models of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunseon Oh
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology , Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19107 , United States
| | - Yuhong Liu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology , Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19107 , United States
| | - Mahesh V Sonar
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology , Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19107 , United States
| | - Diane E Merry
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology , Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19107 , United States
| | - Eric Wickstrom
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology , Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19107 , United States
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27
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D'Agata R, Giuffrida MC, Spoto G. Peptide Nucleic Acid-Based Biosensors for Cancer Diagnosis. Molecules 2017; 22:E1951. [PMID: 29137122 PMCID: PMC6150339 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22111951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The monitoring of DNA and RNA biomarkers freely circulating in the blood constitutes the basis of innovative cancer detection methods based on liquid biopsy. Such methods are expected to provide new opportunities for a better understanding of cancer disease at the molecular level, thus contributing to improved patient outcomes. Advanced biosensors can advance possibilities for cancer-related nucleic acid biomarkers detection. In this context, peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) play an important role in the fabrication of highly sensitive biosensors. This review provides an overview of recently described PNA-based biosensors for cancer biomarker detection. One of the most striking features of the described detection approaches is represented by the possibility to detect target nucleic acids at the ultra-low concentration with the capability to identify single-base mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta D'Agata
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy.
| | - Maria Chiara Giuffrida
- Consorzio Interuniversitario "Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi", c/o Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Spoto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy.
- Consorzio Interuniversitario "Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi", c/o Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy.
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28
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Verdurmen WPR, Mazlami M, Plückthun A. A quantitative comparison of cytosolic delivery via different protein uptake systems. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13194. [PMID: 29038564 PMCID: PMC5643320 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13469-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Over many years, a variety of delivery systems have been investigated that have the capacity to shuttle macromolecular cargoes, especially proteins, into the cytosol. Due to the lack of an objective way to quantify cytosolic delivery, relative delivery efficiencies of the various transport systems have remained unclear. Here, we demonstrate the use of the biotin ligase assay for a quantitative comparison of protein transport to the cytosol via cell-penetrating peptides, supercharged proteins and bacterial toxins in four different cell lines. The data illustrate large differences in both the total cellular internalization, which denotes any intracellular location including endosomes, and in the cytosolic uptake of the transport systems, with little correlation between the two. Also, we found significant differences between the cell lines. In general, protein transport systems based on cell-penetrating peptides show a modest total uptake, and mostly do not deliver cargo to the cytosol. Systems based on bacterial toxins show a modest receptor-mediated internalization but an efficient delivery to the cytosol. Supercharged proteins, on the contrary, are not receptor-specific and lead to massive total internalization into endosomes, but only low amounts end up in the cytosol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter P R Verdurmen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud university medical center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marigona Mazlami
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Plückthun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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29
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Guidotti G, Brambilla L, Rossi D. Cell-Penetrating Peptides: From Basic Research to Clinics. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2017; 38:406-424. [PMID: 28209404 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 730] [Impact Index Per Article: 104.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The presence of cell and tissue barriers together with the low biomembrane permeability of various therapeutics often hampers systemic drug distribution; thus, most of the available molecules are of limited therapeutic value. Opportunities to increase medicament concentrations in areas that are difficult to access now exist with the advent of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), which can transport into the cell a wide variety of biologically active conjugates (cargoes). Numerous preclinical evaluations with CPP-derived therapeutics have provided promising results in various disease models that, in some cases, prompted clinical trials. The outcome of these investigations has thus opened new perspectives for CPP application in the development of unprecedented human therapies that are well tolerated and directed to intracellular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Guidotti
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, IRCCS Maugeri Clinical and Scientific Institutes SpA SB, Via Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Liliana Brambilla
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, IRCCS Maugeri Clinical and Scientific Institutes SpA SB, Via Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Daniela Rossi
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, IRCCS Maugeri Clinical and Scientific Institutes SpA SB, Via Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
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30
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Mercurio ME, Tomassi S, Gaglione M, Russo R, Chambery A, Lama S, Stiuso P, Cosconati S, Novellino E, Di Maro S, Messere A. Switchable Protecting Strategy for Solid Phase Synthesis of DNA and RNA Interacting Nucleopeptides. J Org Chem 2016; 81:11612-11625. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.6b01829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Emilia Mercurio
- Department
of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Stefano Tomassi
- Department
of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Maria Gaglione
- Department
of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosita Russo
- Department
of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Angela Chambery
- Department
of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Stefania Lama
- Department
of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Via De Crecchio 7, 80127 Napoli, Italy
| | - Paola Stiuso
- Department
of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Via De Crecchio 7, 80127 Napoli, Italy
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- Department
of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano
49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Salvatore Di Maro
- Department
of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Anna Messere
- Department
of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
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31
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Ojeda PG, Wang CK, Craik DJ. Chlorotoxin: Structure, activity, and potential uses in cancer therapy. Biopolymers 2016; 106:25-36. [DOI: 10.1002/bip.22748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paola G. Ojeda
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland; Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Conan K. Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland; Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - David J. Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland; Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
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32
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Gupta A, Bahal R, Gupta M, Glazer PM, Saltzman WM. Nanotechnology for delivery of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). J Control Release 2016; 240:302-311. [PMID: 26776051 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Over the past three decades, peptide nucleic acids have been employed in numerous chemical and biological applications. Peptide nucleic acids possess enormous potential because of their superior biophysical properties, compared to other oligonucleotide chemistries. However, for therapeutic applications, intracellular delivery of peptide nucleic acids remains a challenge. In this review, we summarize the progress that has been made in delivering peptide nucleic acids to intracellular targets. In addition, we emphasize recent nanoparticle-based strategies for efficient delivery of conventional and chemically-modified peptides nucleic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisha Gupta
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Meera Gupta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Peter M Glazer
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - W Mark Saltzman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Pyykkö I, Zou J, Schrott-Fischer A, Glueckert R, Kinnunen P. An Overview of Nanoparticle Based Delivery for Treatment of Inner Ear Disorders. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1427:363-415. [PMID: 27259938 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3615-1_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Nanoparticles offer new possibilities for inner ear treatment as they can carry a variety of drugs, protein, and nucleic acids to inner ear. Nanoparticles are equipped with several functions such as targetability, immuno-transparency, biochemical stability, and ability to be visualized in vivo and in vitro. A group of novel peptides can be attached to the surface of nanoparticles that will enhance the cell entry, endosomal escape, and nuclear targeting. Eight different types of nanoparticles with different payload carrying strategies are available now. The transtympanic delivery of nanoparticles indicates that, depending on the type of nanoparticle, different migration pathways into the inner ear can be employed, and that optimal carriers can be designed according to the intended cargo. The use of nanoparticles as drug/gene carriers is especially attractive in conjunction with cochlear implantation or even as an inclusion in the implant as a drug/gene reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilmari Pyykkö
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Tampere and University Hospital of Tampere, Tampere, 33014, Finland. .,Hearing and Balance Research Unit, Field of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Medisiinarinkatu 3, Tampere, 33520, Finland.
| | - Jing Zou
- BECS, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Computational Science, Aalto University, Aalto, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| | - Annelies Schrott-Fischer
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Rudolf Glueckert
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Paavo Kinnunen
- BECS, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Computational Science, Aalto University, Aalto, Finland
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Margus H, Arukuusk P, Langel Ü, Pooga M. Characteristics of Cell-Penetrating Peptide/Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles. Mol Pharm 2015; 13:172-9. [PMID: 26561739 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acids are highly promising candidates for the treatment of various genetic diseases. However, due to the large size and negative charge, nucleic acids are not efficiently taken up by cells, and thus, their clinical potential remains limited so far. Therefore, various delivery vehicles have been designed to assist the cellular uptake of nucleic acids. Among these, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have gained increasing popularity as efficient and nontoxic delivery vectors. CPPs can be coupled to nucleic acids either by covalent or noncovalent association. Noncovalent coupling, which is based on the formation of nanoparticle-like nanocomplexes (NP), has received much attention in recent years, and the number of studies employing the strategy is explosively increasing due to the high therapeutic potential. However, the properties of CPP/nucleic acid NPs have not been characterized in sufficient detail yet. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the size and morphology of nucleic acid nanoparticles with novel transfection peptides, PepFects (PFs) and NickFects (NFs), using negative staining transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition, we examined whether the attachment of fluorescence or (nano)gold label to nucleic acid affects the nanocomplex formation or its morphology. We demonstrated that transportan-10-based new generation CPPs from PF and NF families condense nucleic acids to NPs of homogeneous size and shape. The size and shape of assembled nanoparticles depend on the type of the complexed nucleic acid and the sequence of the used peptide, whereas the label on the nucleic acid does not influence the gross characteristics of formed NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helerin Margus
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu , Tartu 51010, Estonia
| | - Piret Arukuusk
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu , Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - Ülo Langel
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu , Tartu 50411, Estonia.,Department of Neurochemistry, Stockholm University , S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Margus Pooga
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu , Tartu 51010, Estonia
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35
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Wickstrom E. DNA and RNA derivatives to optimize distribution and delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2015; 87:25-34. [PMID: 25912659 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2015.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Revised: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic, complementary DNA single strands and short interfering RNA double strands have been found to inhibit the expression of animal, plant, and viral genes in cells, animals, and patients, in a dose dependent and sequence specific manner. DNAs and RNAs, however, are readily digested in biological systems. Hence, chemists are obliged to design and synthesize nuclease-resistant analogs of normal DNA (Fig. 1).
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Sacui I, Hsieh WC, Manna A, Sahu B, Ly DH. Gamma Peptide Nucleic Acids: As Orthogonal Nucleic Acid Recognition Codes for Organizing Molecular Self-Assembly. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:8603-10. [PMID: 26079820 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b04566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acids are an attractive platform for organizing molecular self-assembly because of their specific nucleobase interactions and defined length scale. Routinely employed in the organization and assembly of materials in vitro, however, they have rarely been exploited in vivo, due to the concerns for enzymatic degradation and cross-hybridization with the host's genetic materials. Herein we report the development of a tight-binding, orthogonal, synthetically versatile, and informationally interfaced nucleic acid platform for programming molecular interactions, with implications for in vivo molecular assembly and computing. The system consists of three molecular entities: the right-handed and left-handed conformers and a nonhelical domain. The first two are orthogonal to each other in recognition, while the third is capable of binding to both, providing a means for interfacing the two conformers as well as the natural nucleic acid biopolymers (i.e., DNA and RNA). The three molecular entities are prepared from the same monomeric chemical scaffold, with the exception of the stereochemistry or lack thereof at the γ-backbone that determines if the corresponding oligo adopts a right-handed or left-handed helix, or a nonhelical motif. These conformers hybridize to each other with exquisite affinity, sequence selectivity, and level of orthogonality. Recognition modules as short as five nucleotides in length are capable of organizing molecular assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iulia Sacui
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST), Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Wei-Che Hsieh
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST), Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Arunava Manna
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST), Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Bichismita Sahu
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST), Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Danith H Ly
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST), Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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Cγ-Aminopropylene peptide nucleic acid (amp-PNA): chiral cationic PNAs with superior PNA:DNA/RNA duplex stability and cellular uptake. Tetrahedron 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2015.03.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Reza F, Glazer PM. Therapeutic genome mutagenesis using synthetic donor DNA and triplex-forming molecules. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1239:39-73. [PMID: 25408401 PMCID: PMC6608751 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1862-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Genome mutagenesis can be achieved in a variety of ways, though a select few are suitable for therapeutic settings. Among them, the harnessing of intracellular homologous recombination affords the safety and efficacy profile suitable for such settings. Recombinagenic donor DNA and mutagenic triplex-forming molecules co-opt this natural recombination phenomenon to enable the specific, heritable editing and targeting of the genome. Editing the genome is achieved by designing the sequence-specific recombinagenic donor DNA to have base mismatches, insertions, and deletions that will be incorporated into the genome when it is used as a template for recombination. Targeting the genome is similarly achieved by designing the sequence-specific mutagenic triplex-forming molecules to further recruit the recombination machinery thereby upregulating its activity with the recombinagenic donor DNA. This combination of extracellularly introduced, designed synthetic molecules and intercellularly ubiquitous, evolved natural machinery enables the mutagenesis of chromosomes and engineering of whole genomes with great fidelity while limiting nonspecific interactions. Herein, we demonstrate the harnessing of recombinagenic donor DNA and mutagenic triplex-forming molecular technology for potential therapeutic applications. These demonstrations involve, among others, utilizing this technology to correct genes so that they become physiologically functional, to induce dormant yet functional genes in place of non-functional counterparts, to place induced genes under regulatory elements, and to disrupt genes to abrogate a cellular vulnerability. Ancillary demonstrations of the design and synthesis of this recombinagenic and mutagenic molecular technology as well as their delivery and assayed interaction with duplex DNA reveal a potent technological platform for engineering specific changes into the living genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Reza
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520-8040, USA
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Penetrating the cell membrane, thermal targeting and novel anticancer drugs: the development of thermally targeted, elastin-like polypeptide cancer therapeutics. Ther Deliv 2014; 5:429-45. [PMID: 24856169 DOI: 10.4155/tde.14.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic peptides offer important cancer treatment approaches. Designed to inhibit oncogenes and other oncoproteins, early therapeutic peptides applications were hampered by pharmacokinetic properties now addressed through tumor targeting strategies. Active targeting with environmentally responsive biopolymers or macromolecules enhances therapeutics accumulation at tumor sites; passive targeting with macromolecules, or liposomes, exploits angiogenesis and poor lymphatic drainage to preferentially accumulate therapeutics within tumors. Genetically engineered, thermally-responsive, elastin-like polypeptides use both strategies and cell-penetrating peptides to further intratumoral cell uptake. This review describes the development and application of cell-penetrating peptide-elastin-like polypeptide therapeutics for the thermally targeted delivery of therapeutic peptides.
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40
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Rizzuti M, Nizzardo M, Zanetta C, Ramirez A, Corti S. Therapeutic applications of the cell-penetrating HIV-1 Tat peptide. Drug Discov Today 2014; 20:76-85. [PMID: 25277319 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decades, many new therapeutic approaches have been developed for several conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases. However, efficient biodistribution and delivery at biological target sites are hampered by the presence of cell and tissue barriers, and a clinical therapy is prevented by the requirement of invasive administration routes. Candidate drug conjugation to cell-penetrating peptides, which are able to cross cellular membranes and reach biological targets even when administered systemically, represents a promising tool to overcome this issue. Here, we review the biology, classification and mechanisms of internalization of cell-penetrating peptides. We focus our attention on the cell-penetrating peptide: HIV-derived Tat peptide, and discuss its efficient but controversial use in basic, preclinical and clinical research from its discovery to the present day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Rizzuti
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Nizzardo
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy.
| | - Chiara Zanetta
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Agnese Ramirez
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
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41
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A survey on "Trojan Horse" peptides: opportunities, issues and controlled entry to "Troy". J Control Release 2014; 194:53-70. [PMID: 25151981 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), often vividly termed as the "Trojan Horse" peptides, have attracted considerable interest for the intracellular delivery of a wide range of cargoes, such as small molecules, peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, contrast agents, nanocarriers and so on. Some preclinical and clinical developments of CPP conjugates demonstrate their promise as therapeutic agents for drug discovery. There is increasing evidence to suggest that CPPs have the potential to cross several bio-barriers (e.g., blood-brain barriers, intestinal mucosa, nasal mucosa and skin barriers). Despite revolutionary process in many aspects, there are a lot of basic issues unclear for these entities, such as internalization mechanisms, translocation efficiency, translocation kinetics, metabolic degradation, toxicity, side effect, distribution and non-specificity. Among them, non-specificity remains a major drawback for the in vivo application of CPPs in the targeted delivery of cargoes. So far, diverse organelle-specific CPPs or controlled delivery strategies have emerged and improved their specificity. In this review, we will look at the opportunities of CPPs in clinical development, bio-barriers penetration and nanocarriers delivery. Then, a series of basic problems of CPPs will be discussed. Finally, this paper will highlight the use of various controlled strategies in the organelle-specific delivery and targeted delivery of CPPs. The purpose of this review will be to emphasize most influential advance in this field and present a fundamental understanding for challenges and utilizations of CPPs. This will accelerate their translation as efficient vectors from the in vitro setting into the clinic arena, and retrieve the entry art to "Troy".
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Cordier C, Boutimah F, Bourdeloux M, Dupuy F, Met E, Alberti P, Loll F, Chassaing G, Burlina F, Saison-Behmoaras TE. Delivery of antisense peptide nucleic acids to cells by conjugation with small arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptide (R/W)9. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104999. [PMID: 25127364 PMCID: PMC4134252 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are very attractive antisense and antigene agents, but these molecules are not passively taken into cells. Here, using a functional cell assay and fluorescent-based methods, we investigated cell uptake and antisense activity of a tridecamer PNA that targets the HIV-1 polypurine tract sequence delivered using the arginine-rich (R/W)9 peptide (RRWWRRWRR). At micromolar concentrations, without use of any transfection agents, almost 80% inhibition of the target gene expression was obtained with the conjugate in the presence of the endosomolytic agent chloroquine. We show that chloroquine not only induced escape from endosomes but also enhanced the cellular uptake of the conjugate. Mechanistic studies revealed that (R/W)9-PNA conjugates were internalized via pinocytosis. Replacement of arginines with lysines reduced the uptake of the conjugate by six-fold, resulting in the abolition of intracellular target inhibition. Our results show that the arginines play a crucial role in the conjugate uptake and antisense activity. To determine whether specificity of the interactions of arginines with cell surface proteoglycans result in the internalization, we used flow cytometry to examine uptake of arginine- and lysine-rich conjugates in wild-type CHO-K1 and proteoglycan-deficient A745 cells. The uptake of both conjugates was decreased by four fold in CHO-745 cells; therefore proteoglycans promote internalization of cationic peptides, irrespective of the chemical nature of their positive charges. Our results show that arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides, especially (R/W)9, are a promising tool for PNA internalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Cordier
- Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Structure et Instabilité des Génomes, Paris, France
- INSERM, U1154, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7196, Paris, France
| | - Fatima Boutimah
- Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Structure et Instabilité des Génomes, Paris, France
- INSERM, U1154, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7196, Paris, France
| | - Mathilde Bourdeloux
- Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Structure et Instabilité des Génomes, Paris, France
- INSERM, U1154, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7196, Paris, France
| | - Florian Dupuy
- Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Structure et Instabilité des Génomes, Paris, France
- INSERM, U1154, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7196, Paris, France
| | - Elisabeth Met
- Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Structure et Instabilité des Génomes, Paris, France
- INSERM, U1154, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7196, Paris, France
| | - Patrizia Alberti
- Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Structure et Instabilité des Génomes, Paris, France
- INSERM, U1154, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7196, Paris, France
| | - François Loll
- Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Structure et Instabilité des Génomes, Paris, France
- INSERM, U1154, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7196, Paris, France
| | - Gérard Chassaing
- UPMC-Univ Paris 06, Laboratoire des BioMolécules, Université P. et M. Curie, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7203, Paris, France
- ENS, UMR 7203, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France
| | - Fabienne Burlina
- UPMC-Univ Paris 06, Laboratoire des BioMolécules, Université P. et M. Curie, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7203, Paris, France
- ENS, UMR 7203, Département de Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France
| | - Tula Ester Saison-Behmoaras
- Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Structure et Instabilité des Génomes, Paris, France
- INSERM, U1154, Paris, France
- CNRS, UMR 7196, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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Schleifman EB, Glazer PM. Peptide nucleic acid-mediated recombination for targeted genomic repair and modification. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1050:207-22. [PMID: 24297362 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-553-8_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The ability to directly manipulate the human genome to correct a disease-related mutation, introduce a sequence change that would lead to site-specific gene knockout, or increase gene expression is a very powerful tool with tremendous clinical value. Triplex formation by synthetic DNA-binding molecules such as peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) has been studied for over 20 years and much of the work in the last 10 years has shown its great promise in its use to direct site-specific gene modification for the use in gene therapy. In this chapter, detailed protocols are described for the design and use of triplex-forming PNAs to bind and mediate gene modification at specific chromosomal targets. Target site identification, PNA and donor oligonucleotide design, in vitro characterization of binding, optimization with reporter systems, as well as various methods to assess gene modification and isolate modified cells are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica B Schleifman
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
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44
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Abstract
Chiral open-chain PNAs have been shown to have improved properties in terms of control of helical handedness, DNA affinity, sequence selectivity, and cellular uptake. They can be synthesized either using preformed chiral monomers or by means of a submonomeric strategy. The former is preferred when only a stereogenic center is present at C-5, whereas for PNA-bearing substituents at C-2, the submonomeric approach is preferred, since racemization, generally occurring during the solid-phase synthesis, can be minimized by this procedure. Here we describe the protocols for the synthesis of PNA oligomers containing C-2- or C-5- (or both) modified monomers and a GC method for checking the optical purity of C-2-modified PNAs.
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45
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Charoenphol P, Bermudez H. Design and application of multifunctional DNA nanocarriers for therapeutic delivery. Acta Biomater 2014; 10:1683-91. [PMID: 23896566 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The unique programmability of nucleic acids offers versatility and flexibility in the creation of self-assembled DNA nanostructures. To date, many three-dimensional DNA architectures of varying sizes and shapes have been precisely formed. Their biocompatibility, biodegradability and high intrinsic stability in physiological environments emphasize their emerging use as carriers for drug and gene delivery. Furthermore, DNA nanocarriers have been shown to enter cells efficiently and without the aid of transfection reagents. A key strength of DNA nanocarriers over other delivery systems is their modularity and their ability to control the spatial distribution of cargoes and ligands. Optimizing DNA nanocarrier properties to dictate their localization, uptake and intracellular trafficking is also possible. This review presents design considerations for DNA nanocarriers and examples of their use in the context of therapeutic delivery applications. The assembly of DNA nanocarriers and approaches for loading and releasing cargo are described. The stability and safety of DNA nanocarriers are also discussed, with particular attention to the in vivo physiological environment. Mechanisms of cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking are examined, and the paper concludes with strategies to enhance the delivery efficiency of DNA nanocarriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Charoenphol
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - H Bermudez
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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Abstract
Genome targeting and editing in vitro and in vivo can be achieved through an interplay of exogenously introduced molecules and the induction of endogenous recombination machinery. The former includes a repertoire of sequence-specific binding molecules for targeted induction and appropriation of this machinery, such as by triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) or triplex-forming peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) and recombinagenic donor DNA, respectively. This versatile targeting and editing via recombination approach facilitates high-fidelity and low-off-target genome mutagenesis, repair, expression, and regulation. Herein, we describe the current state-of-the-art in triplex-mediated genome targeting and editing with a perspective towards potential translational and therapeutic applications. We detail several materials and methods for the design, delivery, and use of triplex-forming and recombinagenic molecules for mediating and introducing specific, heritable, and safe genomic modifications. Furthermore we denote some guidelines for endogenous genome targeting and editing site identification and techniques to test targeting and editing efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Reza
- Departments of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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47
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Bae YM, Kim MH, Yu GS, Um BH, Park HK, Lee HI, Lee KT, Suh YD, Choi JS. Enhanced splicing correction effect by an oligo-aspartic acid-PNA conjugate and cationic carrier complexes. J Control Release 2013; 175:54-62. [PMID: 24369124 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2013.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Revised: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/17/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are synthetic structural analogues of DNA and RNA. They recognize specific cellular nucleic acid sequences and form stable complexes with complementary DNA or RNA. Here, we designed an oligo-aspartic acid-PNA conjugate and showed its enhanced delivery into cells with high gene correction efficiency using conventional cationic carriers, such as polyethylenimine (PEI) and Lipofectamine 2000. The negatively charged oligo-aspartic acid-PNA (Asp(n)-PNA) formed complexes with PEI and Lipofectamine, and the resulting Asp(n)-PNA/PEI and Asp(n)-PNA/Lipofectamine complexes were introduced into cells. We observed significantly enhanced cellular uptake of Asp(n)-PNA by cationic carriers and detected an active splicing correction effect even at nanomolar concentrations. We found that the splicing correction efficiency of the complex depended on the kind of the cationic carriers and on the number of repeating aspartic acid units. By enhancing the cellular uptake efficiency of PNAs, these results may provide a novel platform technology of PNAs as bioactive substances for their biological and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Mi Bae
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea; Laboratory for Advanced Molecular Probing, Research Center for Convergence Nanotechnology, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 305-600, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Hee Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea; Catholic Research Institutes of Medical Science, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang Sig Yu
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Ho Um
- PANAGENE Inc., 816 Tamnip-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-510, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Kyung Park
- PANAGENE Inc., 816 Tamnip-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-510, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-il Lee
- PANAGENE Inc., 816 Tamnip-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-510, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Taek Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea
| | - Yung Doug Suh
- Laboratory for Advanced Molecular Probing, Research Center for Convergence Nanotechnology, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 305-600, Republic of Korea; School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746, Republic of Korea.
| | - Joon Sig Choi
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea.
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Abstract
Photochemical internalization (PCI) is a method for releasing macromolecules from endosomal and lysosomal compartments. The PCI approach uses a photosensitizer that localizes to endosomal and lysosomal compartments, and a light source with appropriate light spectra for excitation of the photosensitizer. Upon photosensitizer excitation, endosomal and lysosomal membranes are destroyed, due to the formation of reactive oxygen species, followed by release of the endocytosed material. PCI has been demonstrated to enhance and control (site- and time-specific) delivery of various macromolecules such as viruses, proteins, chemotherapeutics, nucleic acid, and so on. In this Review we present past and current studies of PCI-controlled delivery of natural and artificial nucleic acids, such as peptide nucleic acids, siRNA molecules, mRNA molecules and plasmids. We also discuss critical aspects to further the possibilities for successful gene targeting in space and time.
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Shin MC, Zhang J, Min KA, Lee K, Byun Y, David AE, He H, Yang VC. Cell-penetrating peptides: achievements and challenges in application for cancer treatment. J Biomed Mater Res A 2013; 102:575-87. [PMID: 23852939 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.34859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2013] [Revised: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
One of the major hurdles to cure cancer lies in the low potency of currently available drugs, which could eventually be solved by using more potent therapeutic macromolecules, such as proteins or genes. However, although these macromolecules possess greater potency inside the cancer cells, the barely permeable cell membrane remains a formidable barrier to exert their efficacy. A widely used strategy is to use cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) to improve their intracellular uptake. Since the discovery of the first CPP, numerous CPPs have been derived from natural or synthesized products. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that those CPPs are highly efficient in transducing cargoes into almost all cell types. Therefore, to date, CPPs have been widely used for intracellular delivery of various cargoes, including peptides, proteins, genes, and even nanoparticles. In addition, recently, based on the successes of CPPs in cellular studies, their applications in vivo have been actively pursued. This review will focus on the advanced applications of CPP-based in vivo delivery of therapeutics (e.g., small molecule drugs, proteins, and genes). In addition, we will highlight certain updated applications of CPPs for intracellular delivery of nanoparticulate drug carriers, as well as several "smart" strategies for tumor targeted delivery of CPP-cargoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meong Cheol Shin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Michigan, 428 Church Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109-1065
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Jain HV, Takeda K, Tami C, Verthelyi D, Beaucage SL. Assessment of the cellular internalization of thermolytic phosphorothioate DNA oligonucleotide prodrugs. Bioorg Med Chem 2013; 21:6224-32. [PMID: 23755885 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2013.04.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Revised: 04/06/2013] [Accepted: 04/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The bioactivity of a CpG-containing phosphorothioate DNA oligonucleotide with thermolytic 2-(N-formyl-N-methylamino)ethyl (fma) thiophosphate groups in mice led us to investigate the parameters affecting the internalization of these thermosensitive DNA prodrugs in various cell lines. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy analyses indicate that 5'-fluoresceinated fma-phosphorothioate DNA sequences are poorly internalized in Vero, HeLa and GC-2 cells. However, when four fma-thiophosphate groups of a 15-nucleotide long oligothymidylate prodrug are replaced with 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)prop-1-yl thiophosphate functions, internalization of the positively charged prodrug, under physiological conditions, increased fourfold in HeLa and 40-fold in Vero or GC-2 cells. No cytotoxic effects are observed in Vero cells even at an extracellular prodrug concentration of 50 μM over a period of 72 h. Confocal microscopy studies show that internalization of the positively charged oligothymidylate prodrug in Vero cells is time-dependent with early trafficking of the DNA sequence through endosomal vesicles and, eventually, to the nucleus of the cells. Thus, the incorporation of four 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)prop-1-yl thiophosphate groups into thermosentive fma-phosphorothioate DNA prodrugs is an attractive strategy for efficient cellular internalization of these nucleic acid-based drugs for potential therapeutic indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsh V Jain
- Laboratory of Chemistry, FDA-CDER, 8800 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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