초록 |
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are synthetic analogues of genetic materials, DNA and RNA. They can recognize 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 by using the conventional gene carriers, such as polyethylenimine (PEI) and Lipofectamine. The negatively charged oligo-aspartic acid-PNA (Asp(n)-PNA) derivatives formed complexes with PEI or Lipofectamine, and the resulting Asp(n)-PNA/PEI or Asp(n)-PNA/Lipofectamine complexes were efficiently translocated inside cells. We observed much enhanced cellular uptake and biological effects of Asp(n)-PNA delivered into the perinuclear and nuclear areas inside cells and an active splicing correction effect was detected at nanomolar concentration ranges. We found that the transfection efficiency of the complex was dependent upon the number of repeating aspartic acid units as well as on the dose of nonviral gene carriers. |