DNA-Protein complex system using Zinc-dependent nano-self assembly

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Nonviral gene carrier uses electrostatic interaction, encapsulation, or absorption to deliver nucleic acids into the cell. Although they show high transfection efficiency, various nonviral gene delivery systems suffer from the toxicity of the cationic nature of polymeric carriers because of large amount of polymer to achieve reasonable transfection efficiencies. In previous study, we demonstrated that nano-self-assembly of nucleic acids transfected itself into cells spontaneously, without any carriers. We also showed that functional peptides were directly incorporated into M-DNA through Ligand-to-Metal Charge Transfer (LMCT). In this study, we have developed a combination system to incorporate therapeutic recombinant protein into DNA without the need for chemical conjugation. This system was based on LMCT transition, which occurs between divalent metal ions and the sulfhydryl group in cysteine-containing protein. Protein with zinc/DNA complex retarded DNA migration in agarose gel and improved transfection efficiency into the cells. This system may be useful combination systems to treat various diseases.