An intracellular delivery method for siRNA by an arginine-rich peptide

J Biochem Biophys Methods. 2007 Jun 10;70(4):579-86. doi: 10.1016/j.jbbm.2007.01.010. Epub 2007 Jan 30.

Abstract

RNA interference has recently become a useful research tool for the studies of gene functions, regulations, and therapies. The double-stranded RNA is utilized to induce the sequence-specific gene silencing. To achieve this goal of specific gene silencing, a proper delivery system of siRNA is highly demanded. A number of approaches for delivering siRNA have been explored over the last few years. In the present study, we demonstrated a simple peptide-based siRNA delivery system in mammalian cells. A GC-EGFP cell line stably expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein was established from stable transfection of human gastric carcinoma cells. The synthetic nona-arginine peptide, an arginine-rich intracellular delivery peptide, or called protein transduction domain peptide, could noncovalently form stable complexes with EGFP siRNA and deliver these mixtures into cells. After entry, siRNA appeared to stay in perinuclear regions within cell, and ultimately fulfilled its targeted egfp gene silencing. These data were in consonance with that RNA-induced silencing complex components could be also localized to these perinuclear regions, creating a focal point for RNA interference factories. In the future, this non-toxic peptide may be proved to be a useful tool for the delivery of exogenous siRNA in RNA interference research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arginine*
  • Biological Transport
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism*
  • Peptides*
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Peptides
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Arginine