Development of a nanoparticle that releases nucleic acids in response to a mitochondrial environment

Publication date: Available online 22 February 2020Source: MitochondrionAuthor(s): Yuma Yamada, Yutaka Fukuda, Daisuke Sasaki, Minako Maruyama, Hideyoshi HarashimaAbstractThe delivery of nucleic acids targeting mutant mtDNA represent a potential strategy for addressing a variety of mitochondria-related diseases. We previously developed a MITO-Porter, a nano carrier that is capable of delivering nanoparticles of nucleic acids to mitochondria of human cells. Here, we report on an investigation of a series of nanoparticles formed with various poly cationic peptides that can release nucleic acids in response to a mitochondrial environment. A significant relationship was found between the number of and the location of arginine and histidine residues in the peptide sequence and the release of nucleic acids in a mitochondrial environment.
Source: Mitochondrion - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research