Photochemically induced gene silencing using PNA-peptide conjugates

Oligonucleotides. 2006 Summer;16(2):145-57. doi: 10.1089/oli.2006.16.145.

Abstract

The potential for exploration of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) as an experimental and therapeutic regulator of gene expression has been hampered by a poor delivery and a lack of site-specific targeting. In the present study, we have developed an efficient strategy for nuclear delivery of PNA by combining cationically charged PNA-peptide conjugates and photochemical internalization (PCI) technology. When using the S100A4 gene as a model system, a consistent downregulation to around 10% remaining protein signal was obtained in three selected cell lines. Furthermore, a dose-dependent and time-dependent inhibition of the S100A4 protein was demonstrated. A main benefit of the strategy proposed is the possibility of site-specific targeting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Nucleus / chemistry
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation
  • Endocytosis
  • Gene Expression / drug effects*
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Gene Targeting / methods*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptide Nucleic Acids / chemistry
  • Peptide Nucleic Acids / metabolism
  • Peptide Nucleic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Photochemistry
  • S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A4
  • S100 Proteins / analysis
  • S100 Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • S100 Proteins / genetics
  • Transfection / methods*

Substances

  • Peptide Nucleic Acids
  • Peptides
  • S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A4
  • S100 Proteins
  • S100A4 protein, human