Preparation of Gold Nanoparticles and Their Investigation in siRNA Protection

• Main Author: 黃宇鋒
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/63636414583715558993

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 化學系 === 95 === Short interfering RNA (siRNA) can be used to regulate expression of the targeted gene functionalized as RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi has rapidly become a popular tool for functional genomics research and target gene validation, and holds great promise for therapeutic applications as well. However, the successibility of gene silencing applications based on the use of synthetic siRNA depends on the probability of delivery system. Therefore, the development of save and efficient siRNA delivery systems is of urgent. In this study, we synthesized 4.5 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with positive charge by coating with thiocholine capped groups. The AuNPs exhibited good capacity in forming of Au-siRNA complex by neutralizing the surface charge of siRNA. As a siRNA carrier, AuNPs performed distinguishable ability in siRNA protection. We also show that the release of siRNA on gold nanoparticles is response to pH, so we can predict the release condition of siRNA in cells. We have investigated the cytotoxicity of Gold nanoparticles at different concentrations and recover times, and the results show that gold nanporticles are nontoxic to living cells. In conclusion, thiocholine capped gold nanoparticles show good ability to protect siRNA and have capability for gene delivery.