Evaluation of Peptide Nucleic Acid Encapsulation in Ferritin Nanocages for Gene Silencing Applications.

ABSTRACT: Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) feature a neutral peptide-like backbone, providing nuclease resistance and potential for precision medicine and diagnostics through specific DNA and RNA binding. However, their therapeutic use is hindered by poor solubility and cell permeability. In this study, we demonstrated that negatively charged PNAs can be readily loaded into the polycationic Humanized Archaeoglobus Ferritin, namely, PA3.2-HumAfFt bioconjugate system, following a divalent-cation-triggered oligomerization technique. The versatility of PNA chemistry enabled the production of synthetic nucleic acid homologues with varying lengths and charges, ranging from positive to negative. We evaluated the loading performance of HumAfFt with and without chemical modifications and investigated the release

SUBMITTER: Falanga AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12606638 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature