Endosomolytic peptides enable the cellular delivery of peptide nucleic acids

Abstract

Precision genetic medicine enlists antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to bind to nucleic acid targets important for human disease. Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) have many desirable attributes as ASOs but lack cellular permeability. Here, we use an assay based on the corrective splicing of an mRNA to assess the ability of synthetic peptides to deliver a functional PNA into a human cell. We find that the endosomolytic peptides L17E and L17ER₄ are highly efficacious delivery vehicles. Co-treatment of a PNA with low micromolar L17E or L17ER₄ enables robust corrective splicing in nearly all treated cells. Peptide–PNA conjugates are even more effective. These results enhance the utility of PNAs as research tools and potential therapeutic agents.