Characterization of Peptide 599 and Its Variants as a Carrier of Nucleic Acid-Based Cargos for Therapeutic Applications

School Name

South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Cell and Molecular Biology

Presentation Type

Mentored

Abstract

Nucleic acids have great potential for therapeutic applications in numerous diseases, including cancer. However, there exist challenges in delivering the nucleic acids into the into the body as well as interior of the affected cells. Carriers are needed to circumvent these delivery challenges. The peptide 599 and its variants have shown to be capable of binding to and delivering nucleic acid-based cargos into cells. The object of this research was to evaluate the ability of the 599-peptide carrier and its variants [RD3Al, RL3AL, and RD3AD] in forming bioactive complexes with nucleic acid cargoes [siRNA, miRNA, mRNA, F- Tractin EGFP (pDNA), and Phr-GFP-N1 (pDNA)]. The various peptide carriers with the nucleic acid cargoes were complexed, and the results were analyzed using agarose gel shift assays. The results indicate that peptide 599 and its variants were able to bind to the nucleic acid cargoes at high nitrogen: phosphate (N:P) molar ratios. However, as the N:P molar ratios decreased, some peptides completely bound certain cargoes at a lower N:P ratio compared to others. Peptide 599 achieved this for both siRNA and pDNA, RL3AL was the best for miRNA, and RD3AL was the best for mRNA. In conclusion, the data demonstrated the ability of each peptide to form complexes with different types of nucleic acid cargoes, with no differences in binding observed at high N:P molar ratios. The future of this project lies in further characterizing the peptides, looking at release capabilities, cell penetration, and protection of the cargo.

Location

RITA 271

Start Date

3-23-2024 11:00 AM

Presentation Format

Oral Only

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 23rd, 11:00 AM

Characterization of Peptide 599 and Its Variants as a Carrier of Nucleic Acid-Based Cargos for Therapeutic Applications

RITA 271

Nucleic acids have great potential for therapeutic applications in numerous diseases, including cancer. However, there exist challenges in delivering the nucleic acids into the into the body as well as interior of the affected cells. Carriers are needed to circumvent these delivery challenges. The peptide 599 and its variants have shown to be capable of binding to and delivering nucleic acid-based cargos into cells. The object of this research was to evaluate the ability of the 599-peptide carrier and its variants [RD3Al, RL3AL, and RD3AD] in forming bioactive complexes with nucleic acid cargoes [siRNA, miRNA, mRNA, F- Tractin EGFP (pDNA), and Phr-GFP-N1 (pDNA)]. The various peptide carriers with the nucleic acid cargoes were complexed, and the results were analyzed using agarose gel shift assays. The results indicate that peptide 599 and its variants were able to bind to the nucleic acid cargoes at high nitrogen: phosphate (N:P) molar ratios. However, as the N:P molar ratios decreased, some peptides completely bound certain cargoes at a lower N:P ratio compared to others. Peptide 599 achieved this for both siRNA and pDNA, RL3AL was the best for miRNA, and RD3AL was the best for mRNA. In conclusion, the data demonstrated the ability of each peptide to form complexes with different types of nucleic acid cargoes, with no differences in binding observed at high N:P molar ratios. The future of this project lies in further characterizing the peptides, looking at release capabilities, cell penetration, and protection of the cargo.