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Published on: November 30, 2018
Plant Virus-Like Particles for RNA Delivery.
Kendra Ramirez-Acosta1,2, Elizabeth Loredo-García1,2, M Mariana Herrera-Hernandez1,2
1Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología-Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
Plant viruses can be disassembled into coat proteins and reassembled into virus-like particles (VLPs). These plant-derived VLPs show promise for targeted drug delivery and nanomedicine applications.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nanomedicine
- Plant Virology
Background:
- Plant viruses are purified using PEG precipitation and ultracentrifugation.
- Increasing ionic strength and alkaline pH induce virus disassembly into coat proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the reassembly of plant virus coat proteins into virus-like particles (VLPs).
- To evaluate the potential of plant-derived VLPs in nanomedicine for drug delivery and imaging.
Main Methods:
- Purification of plant viruses (e.g., BMV, CCMV) via PEG precipitation and sucrose cushion ultracentrifugation.
- Induction of virus disassembly by altering ionic strength and pH.
- Reassembly of coat proteins into VLPs using two-step dialysis under varying pH conditions.
Main Results:
- Stable virus-like particles (VLPs) were successfully reassembled from plant virus coat proteins.
- Reassembled VLPs can encapsulate anionic molecules.
- Chemical functionalization enables targeted delivery applications for VLPs.
Conclusions:
- Plant virus-derived VLPs offer a versatile platform for nanomedicine.
- VLPs demonstrate potential for protecting cargo like RNA and facilitating targeted drug delivery.
- Further applications in imaging and therapeutics are suggested.
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