Enzymatically Produced miR34a Nanoparticles for Enhanced Antiproliferation Activity

Among a range of functional forms of RNA, microRNAs (miRNAs) have held a great promise for their natural ability to influence cellular behavior by regulating gene expression. In particular, it is revealed that miR34a has a function as a tumor suppressor by regulating silent information regulator 1 expression, causing antiproliferation of tumor. To utilize functional miR34a as an effective cancer therapeutics, an enzymatic approach to synthesize miR34a nanoparticles is adapted. The enzymatically self-assembled miR34a nanoparticles have a high cargo capacity and a suitable size for cellular uptake. Indeed, the miR34a nanoparticles are delivered successfully to PC3 cells, human prostate cancer cells, and suppress proliferation and migration of those cells. These results suggest that the enzymatically produced miR34a nanoparticles can function as an effective tumor suppressor. Furthermore, it is expected that the enzymatic synthesis of miRNA nanoparticles can be adapted universally for delivery of other functional miRNAs as well.