title: Cyclic peptide-capped gold nanoparticles for enhanced siRNA delivery.
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.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, CA 92618, USA.
authors.forename: Amir Nasrolahi
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Shirazi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
authors.forename: Karissa L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Paquin
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
authors.forename: Niall G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Howlett
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, CA 92618, USA.
authors.forename: Dindyal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mandal
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, CA 92618, USA. parang@chapman.edu.
authors.forename: Keykavous
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Parang
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D057846:Cell-Penetrating Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques / Q000379:methods; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D057846:Cell-Penetrating Peptides; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D006046:Gold