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

Abstract

The 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.

Keywords: Mitochondria; Mitochondrial environment-response; Nanoparticle formation; Nucleic acid medicine; Nucleic acid nanoparticle; Nucleic acid release.