Cyclic peptide-capped gold nanoparticles for enhanced siRNA delivery

Molecules. 2014 Aug 28;19(9):13319-31. doi: 10.3390/molecules190913319.

Abstract

Previously, we have reported the synthesis of a homochiral l-cyclic peptide [WR]5 and its use for delivery of anti-HIV drugs and biomolecules. A physical mixture of HAuCl4 and the peptide generated peptide-capped gold nanoparticles. Here, [WR]5 and [WR]5-AuNPs were tested for their efficiency to deliver a small interfering RNA molecule (siRNA) in human cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells. Flow cytometry investigation revealed that the intracellular uptake of a fluorescence-labeled non-targeting siRNA (200 nM) was enhanced in the presence of [WR]5 and [WR]5-AuNPs by 2- and 3.8-fold when compared with that of siRNA alone after 24 h incubation. Comparative toxicity results showed that [WR]5 and [WR]5-AuNPs were less toxic in cells compared to other available carrier systems, such as Lipofectamine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / chemistry
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / metabolism
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques / methods
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemistry*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism*
  • Transfection*

Substances

  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Gold