Low Molecular Weight Polyethylenimine-Mitochondrial Leader Peptide Conjugate for DNA Delivery to Mitochondria

• Published in: Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society 2006, 27(9), , pp.1335-1340
• Main Authors: 최준식, Min Ji Choi, 고경수, 이병두, 김영미, In Seok Bang, 이민형
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 화학
• ISSN: 0253-2964; 1229-5949
• DOI: 10.5012/bkcs.2006.27.9.1335

It has been found that a number of diseases are associated with mutations in the mitochondrial DNA. Therapeutic gene delivery to mitochondria has been suggested as a clinical option for these diseases. In this study, we developed a gene carrier to mitochondria by the conjugation of mitochondrial leader peptide (LP) to polyethylenimine (PEI). Mitochondrial LP conjugated PEI (PEI-LP) was synthesized with low molecular weight PEI (2,000 Da, PEI2K). Gel retardation assay showed that PEI2K-LP formed complexes at a 1.0/1 weight ratio. In addition, PEI2K-LP protected DNA from the enzymatic degradation for at least 60 min, while naked DNA was completely degraded within 20 min. PEI2K-LP was compared with LP conjugated high molecular weight PEI (25,000 Da, PEI25K) in terms of toxicity and delivery efficiency. MTT assay showed that PEI2K-LP had much lower cytotoxicity than PEI25K-LP to 293 cells. In addition, cell-free DNA delivery assay showed that PEI2K-LP delivered more DNA to mitochondria at a 1.8/1 weight ratio than naked DNA or PEI. This result suggests that PEI2K-LP may be useful for the development of mitochondrial gene therapy system with lower cytotoxicity. KCI Citation Count: 8