RNA interference in mammalia cells by RNA-3'-PNA chimeras.
The discovery of siRNAs as the mediators of RNA interference has led to an increasing interest in their therapeutic applications. Chemical modifications are introduced into siRNAs to optimize the potency, the stability and the pharmacokinetic properties in vivo. Here, we synthesize and test the effects of RNA-3'-PNA chimeras on siRNA functioning and stability. We demonstrate that the chemical modifications are compatible with the siRNA machinery, because all the PNA-modified siRNAs can efficiently mediate specific gene silencing in mammalian cells. Furthermore, we find that the modification on the sense strand of siRNA results in an increased persistence of the activity, whereas modification on both strands results in enhanced nuclease resistance in serum.
Potenza
Nicoletta
N
Department of Life Sciences, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, I-81100 Caserta, Italy.
Moggio
Loredana
L
Department of Environmental Sciences, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, I-81100 Caserta, Italy.
Milano
Giovanna
G
Department of Environmental Sciences, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, I-81100 Caserta, Italy.
Salvatore
Vincenzo
V
Department of Life Sciences, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, I-81100 Caserta, Italy.
Di Blasio
Benedetto
B
Department of Environmental Sciences, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, I-81100 Caserta, Italy.
Russo
Aniello
A
Department of Life Sciences, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, I-81100 Caserta, Italy.
Messere
Anna
A
Department of Environmental Sciences, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, I-81100 Caserta, Italy.