miR-122 targeting with LNA/2'-O-methyl oligonucleotide mixmers, peptide nucleic acids (PNA), and PNA-peptide conjugates.
MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that regulate many cellular processes in a post-transcriptional mode. MicroRNA knockdown by antisense oligonucleotides is a useful strategy to explore microRNA functionality and as potential therapeutics. MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) is a liver-specific microRNA, the main function of which has been linked with lipid metabolism and liver homeostasis. Here, we show that lipofection of an antisense oligonucleotide based on a Locked Nucleic Acids (LNA)/2'-O-methyl mixmer or electroporation of a Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) oligomer is effective at blocking miR-122 activity in human and rat liver cells. These oligonucleotide analogs, evaluated for the first time in microRNA inhibition, are more effective than standard 2'-O-methyl oligonucleotides in binding and inhibiting microRNA action. We also show that microRNA inhibition can be achieved without the need for transfection or electroporation of the human or rat cell lines, by conjugation of an antisense PNA to the cell-penetrating peptide R6-Penetratin, or merely by linkage to just four Lys residues, highlighting the potential of PNA for future therapeutic applications as well as for studying microRNA function.
Fabani
Martin M
MM
Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom.
Gait
Michael J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020135:Peptide Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
D035683:MicroRNAs; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D020135:Peptide Nucleic Acids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C477371:locked nucleic acid