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siRNA prodrugs activated by Cu(I) in cancer cells

Research Project

Project/Area Number 21K06449
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Section一般
Review Section Basic Section 47010:Pharmaceutical chemistry and drug development sciences-related
Research InstitutionThe University of Tokyo

Principal Investigator

Morihiro Kunihiko  東京大学, 大学院工学系研究科(工学部), 准教授 (70713890)

Project Period (FY) 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2023)
Budget Amount *help
¥4,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥960,000)
Fiscal Year 2023: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000)
Fiscal Year 2022: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000)
Fiscal Year 2021: ¥780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥180,000)
Keywords銅イオン / siRNA / がん / プロドラッグ / ルシフェラーゼ / 核酸化学 / 抗がん剤
Outline of Research at the Start

本研究では高濃度の銅(I)イオンに応答したsiRNAの活性化を行うことで、がん選択的なRNAi医薬品としての可能性を世界で初めて示す。本研究が成功すれば、正常細胞への影響を抑制可能な副作用が小さい核酸医薬の開発につながることが期待される。本手法は外部刺激に頼ることがなく、医療現場で用いる際に特別な装置や技術を必要としないため、非常に実用性の高いがん治療薬になり得る。

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we developed siRNAs that respond to copper ions accumulated in large amounts in cancer cells, aiming to construct a system capable of selectively knocking down specific genes in cancer cells. Initially, we chemically synthesized artificial amidite blocks protected with functional groups that can be selectively removed by copper ions, and incorporated them into DNA and RNA. We assessed the responsiveness to copper ions in a non-cultured cell system and observed selective removal of the protective groups by copper ions. Finally, we synthesized a copper ion-responsive siRNA targeting the mRNA of Cyclin B1, a protein known to be up-regulated in cancer cells. Introduction of this engineered siRNA into cancer cells resulted in copper ion-dependent knockdown of Cyclin B1.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

がんは長年日本人の死因の第一位であり、その効果的な治療法の開発は喫緊の課題である。抗がん剤を用いた化学療法は外科手術および放射線治療に並ぶ重要ながん治療法の1つであるが、正常細胞に対しても毒性を示すため副作用が問題となる。本研究ではがん細胞内に集積しやすい銅イオンに応答して薬効を発現するsiRNAを開発した。本人工siRNAは細胞内の銅イオン濃度に依存してがん関連タンパク質Cyclin B1のmRNAをノックダウンするため、正常細胞にほとんど影響を与えることなくがん治療に用いることが可能である、将来的には担がんマウスモデルを用いたin vivo実験により、抗がんsiRNA医薬として評価する。

Report

(4 results)
  • 2023 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2022 Research-status Report
  • 2021 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (5 results)

All 2024 2023 2022 2021

All Journal Article (1 results) (of which Peer Reviewed: 1 results) Presentation (4 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 2 results)

  • [Journal Article] Copper-mediated siRNA activation for conditional control of gene expression2024

    • Author(s)
      Morihiro Kunihiko、Tomida Yasuhiro、Ando Honami、Okamoto Akimitsu
    • Journal Title

      Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

      Volume: 104 Pages: 129738-129738

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129738

    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Presentation] siRNA Prodrugs for Selective Cancer Treatment Using Copper-Responsive Artificial Nucleic Acids2023

    • Author(s)
      Yasuhiro Tomida, Honami Ando, Kunihiko Morihiro, Akimitsu Okamoto
    • Organizer
      The 50th International Symposium on Nucleic Acids Chemistry
    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] がん細胞内に蓄積された銅イオンをトリガーとするsiRNAの活性化2023

    • Author(s)
      冨田 康弘、森廣 邦彦 、岡本 晃充
    • Organizer
      日本化学会第103春季年会
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] Activation of siRNA triggered by copper ion accumulated in cancer cells2022

    • Author(s)
      Yasuhiro Tomida, Honami Ando, Kunihiko Morihiro, Akimitsu Okamoto
    • Organizer
      The 49th International Symposium on Nucleic Acids Chemistry
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] がん細胞内に蓄積した不安定な金属イオンをトリガーとする核酸医薬の活性化2021

    • Author(s)
      安藤 帆菜美、森廣 邦彦、岡本 晃充
    • Organizer
      第11回CSJ化学フェスタ2021
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report

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Published: 2021-04-28   Modified: 2025-01-30  

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