Nucleic acid-peptide capsule complexes
AssigneeKansas State University Research Foundation
InventorsJohn M. Tomich, Gerald Reeck, Luz Adriana Avila Flores, Raman Chandrasekar
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Abstract
Described herein are nucleic acid-peptide capsule complexes or nanoparticles comprising pre-formed peptide capsules and nucleic acids bound the exterior surface of the capsule, such that the wrap around the capsule membrane. The peptide capsules comprise bilayer membrane defining a liquid-receiving interior space and comprises a plurality of branched, amphipathic peptides. Method of making and using such complexes for delivering nucleic acids in vivo and in vitro are also described.
Claims34
A nucleic acid-peptide capsule complex comprising:
- a peptide capsule comprising a bilayer membrane having an exterior surface and defining a liquid-receiving interior space, wherein said membrane comprises a plurality of branched, amphipathic peptides, each of said peptides comprising a C-terminal hydrophilic segment coupled to a branch point, said branch point being coupled to two respective N-terminal hydrophobic segments;
- and
- a nucleic acid molecule bound to and extending along said membrane exterior surface.
A method of preparing a nucleic acid-peptide capsule complex, said method comprising mixing a plurality of peptide capsules with nucleic acid in a solvent system under ambient conditions and for a sufficient time period for said nucleic acid to bind to said peptide capsules through electrostatic interactions to yield said nucleic acid-peptide capsule complexes, wherein said peptide capsules each comprise a bilayer membrane having an exterior surface and defining a liquid-receiving interior space, wherein said membrane comprises a plurality of branched, amphipathic peptides, each of said peptides comprising a C-terminal hydrophilic segment coupled to a branch point, said branch point being coupled to two respective N-terminal hydrophobic segments.
A peptide capsule complex for RNA interference of a target arthropod gene, said complex comprising:
- a peptide capsule comprising a bilayer membrane having an exterior surface and defining a liquid-receiving interior space, wherein said membrane comprises a plurality of branched, amphipathic peptides, each of said peptides comprising a C-terminal hydrophilic segment coupled to a branch point, said branch point being coupled to two respective N-terminal hydrophobic segments;
- and
- an arthropod RNA bound to and extending along said membrane exterior surface, wherein said RNA is complementary to at least a portion of mRNA of said target arthropod gene.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.