Development of nuclear protein delivery systems using biodegradable polymeric nanogels

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24700487
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biomedical engineering/Biological material science
• Research Institution: Konan University
• Principal Investigator: NAGAHAMA Koji 甲南大学, フロンティアサイエンス学部, 准教授 (00551847)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 細胞核 / タンパク質デリバリー / ナノ組織体 / 生分解性高分子 / バイオマテリアル / ドラッグデリバリーシステム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we demonstrated the design and development of polymeric nanostructures having protein-encapsulation ability via self-assembly of hydrophobic amino acid derivatives-modified heparins. These nanostructures were found to exhibit nuclear permeation property through the interactions with nuclear pore complexes when the nanostructures were internalized into the cytoplasm of HeLa cells by electroporation. After that the nanostructures accumulated in the nucleus with high efficacy. HeLa cells treated with the nanostructures showed a similar doubling time with that of non-treated cells. These results indicate that the nanostructures could be useful as nuclear delivery carriers for functional proteins and protein drugs.

Free Research Field

生命高分子科学