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Updated: May 13, 2026

Imaging Denatured Collagen Strands In vivo and Ex vivo via Photo-triggered Hybridization of Caged Collagen Mimetic Peptides
Published on: January 31, 2014
Atelocollagen-mediated drug discovery technology
Takahiro Ochiya1, Kimi Honma, Fumitaka Takeshita
1Section for Studies on Metastasis, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 1-1, Tsukiji 5-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan. tochiya@ncc.go.jp.
Abstract:
RNA interference (RNAi) was first reported in nematodes in 1998. Since that time, RNAi has been discovered in fish, insects and mammals. Novel treatments and drug discovery in preclinical studies based on RNAi are targeting a wide range of diseases at present, including viral infections and cancers. In addition to the local administration of synthetic small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting local lesions, specific methods for the systemic administration of these molecules to treat infectious diseases or metastatic cancers have also been reported. In vivo delivery technology is a key hurdle that must be addressed for the successful clinical application of synthetic siRNA. In this review, the authors evaluate the recent findings on atelocollagen-siRNA complexes for the treatment for metastatic cancers and outline the cancer therapies and drug discovery studies that are based on RNAi technology.
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Structural Protein Function
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity. In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to form...

