DNA delivery to the mitochondria sites using mitochondrial leader peptide conjugated polyethylenimine.
Some genetic diseases are associated with the defects of the mitochondrial genome. Direct DNA delivery to the mitochondrial matrix has been suggested as an approach for mitochondrial gene therapy for these diseases. We hypothesized that a mitochondrial leader peptide (LP) conjugated polyethylenimine (PEI) could deliver DNA to the mitochondrial sites. PEI-LP was synthesized by the conjugation of LP to PEI using disulfide bond. The complex formation of PEI-LP with DNA was confirmed by a gel retardation assay. In this study, DNA was completely retarded at a 0.4/1 PEI-LP/DNA weight ratio. In vitro delivery tests into isolated mitochondria or living cells were performed with rhodamin-labeled DNA and PEI-LP. In vitro cell-free delivery assay with isolated mitochondria showed that PEI-LP/DNA complexes were localized at mitochondria sites. Furthermore, the PEL-LP/DNA complexes were localized at the mitochondrial sites in living cells. However, a control carrier, PEI, did not show this effect. In addition, MTT assay showed that PEI-LP showed lower cytotoxicity than PEI. These results suggest that PEI-LP can deliver DNA to the mitochondrial sites and may be useful for the development of mitochondrial gene therapy.
Lee
Minhyung
M
Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, South Korea.
Choi
Joon Sig
JS
Choi
Min Ji
MJ
Pak
Youngmi Kim
YK
Rhee
Byoung Doo
BD
Ko
Kyung Soo
KS
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000737:chemistry*
D010455:Peptides; D011094:Polyethyleneimine; D004247:DNA