Poster abstracts

Poster number 70 submitted by Mathieu Cinier

Fabrication of Stable and RNase-Resistant RNA Nanoparticles Active in Gearing the Nanomotors for Viral DNA-Packaging

Mathieu Cinier (Nanobiomedical Center, University of Cincinnati), Jing Liu (Nanobiomedical Center, University of Cincinnati), Yi Shu (Nanobiomedical Center, University of Cincinnati), Peixuan Guo (Nanobiomedical Center, University of Cincinnati)

Abstract:
Both DNA and RNA can serve as powerful building blocks for bottom-up fabrication of nanostructures. A pioneering concept proposed by Ned Seeman 30 years ago has led to an explosion of knowledge in DNA nanotechnology (1). RNA can be manipulated with simplicity characteristic of DNA, while possessing noncanonical base-pairing, versatile function and catalytic activity similar to proteins (2). However, standing in awe of the sensitivity of RNA to RNase degradation has made many scientists flinched from RNA nanotechnology. In this context, we will report the construction of stable RNA nanoparticles resistant to RNase digestion. The chemically modified RNA retained its property for correct folding in dimer formation, appropriate structure in procapsid binding, and biological activity in gearing phi29 nanomotor to package viral DNA and producing infectious viral particles. Our results demonstrate that it is practical to produce RNase resistant, biologically active and stable RNA for application in nanotechnology (3).

References:
(1) Seeman, N. C. Nanomaterials Based on DNA, Annu. Rev. Biochem. 2010, 79, 65-87
(2) Guo P., Coban O., Snead NM, Trebley J, Hoeprich S, Guo S, Shu Y, Engineering RNA for targeted siRNA delivery and medical application, Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 2010, 62, 650-66.
(3) Liu J, Guo S, Cinier M, Shu Y, Chen C, Shen G, and Guo P, Fabrication of Stable and RNase-Resistant RNA Nanoparticles Active in Gearing the Nanomotors for Viral DNA-Packaging, submitted.

Keywords: 2-F modification, RNase resistant nanoparticle, phi29 DNA-packaging nanomotor