Dissertation
In vitro and in vivo delivery of functionalized nanoparticles via coiled-coil interactions
Promotor: A. Kros, Co-promotor: R.R.C.L. Olsthoorn
- Author
- Jian Yang
- Date
- 01 December 2016
- Links
- Thesis in Leiden Repository
This thesis presents another approach for direct cytosolic delivery via membrane fusion. This approach is based on a complementary pair of coiled-coil forming peptides, K (KIAALKE)4 and E (EIAALEK)4 and is mimicking the action of the SNARE-complex. The SNARE-complex is responsible for fusion between vesicles and membranes of cells in the synapse and is also composed of coiled-coil forming peptides. In our system, the peptides are conjugated to a cholesterol anchor via a polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacer, yielding lipopeptides CP4K4 and CP4E4. Membrane fusion between liposomes and the plasma membrane of the cells is triggered by these two lipopeptides when each embedded within the lipid bilayer of the liposomes or the plasma membrane of the cell.