Peptides for specific intracellular delivery and targeting of nanoparticles: implications for developing nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery.

The use of peptides to mediate the delivery and uptake of nanoparticle (NP) materials by mammalian cells has grown significantly over the past 10 years. This area of research has important implications for the development of new therapeutic materials and for the emerging field of NP-mediated drug delivery. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the delivery of various NPs by some of the more commonly employed cellular delivery peptides and discuss important related factors such as NP-peptide bioconjugation, uptake efficiency, intracellular fate and toxicity.

Differential effects of Co(III), Ni(II), and Ru(III) amine complexes on Sindbis virus.

Transition metal complexes [Co(cyclen)(NH(3))(2)](ClO(4))(3)H(2)O (cyclen=1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) (2), [Co(NH(3))(5)(OH(2))](CF(3)SO(3))(3) (3) [Ni(NH(3))(6)]Br(2) (4) and [Ru(NH(3))(6)]Cl(3) (5) were tested against Sindbis infected baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells and show differential effects from the previously reported anti-viral complex [Co(NH(3))(6)]Cl(3) (1). The macrocyclic complex 2 and labile aqua complex 3 show either no or little effect on the survival on Sindbis virus-infected cells as compared to that for 1, which show a monotonic increase in % BHK cell survival. Nickel and ruthenium ammine complexes 4 and 5 had a moderate influence of cell survival.

Genus vaccinium: medicine, cosmetics, and coatings.

Vaccinium is a genus of shrubs several of which, including cranberry, lingonberry, and blueberry, produce edible fruit. Consumption of the fruit of these plants and juices pressed from it has long been known to have healthful effects. A number of functional compounds have been extracted from the fruits and seeds of these plants.

Antiviral properties of cobalt(III)-complexes.

We have investigated the potential antiviral activity of three cobalt(III) compounds. Two compounds, Co(III)-cyclen-methylbenzoic acid and its methyl ester derivative, are based on the macrocyclic chelator, cyclen, and were synthesized in our laboratory. Both compounds have been shown to bind tightly to nucleic acids and to hydrolyze phosphodiester bonds.

RNA hydrolysis and inhibition of translation by a Co(III)-cyclen complex.

Metal ion-chelator catalysts based on main-group, lanthanide, or transition metal complexes have been developed as nonenzymatic alternatives for the hydrolysis of the phosphodiester bonds in DNA and RNA. Cobalt (III), with its high-charge density, is known for its ability to hydrolyze phosphodiesters with rate constants as high as 2 x 10(-4) s(-1). We have developed a kinetically inert Co(III)-cyclen-based complex, Co(III)-cycmmb that is very potent in inhibiting the translation of RNA into protein.