RNA adsorption onto iron oxide nanoparticle have stability from nuclease

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Nanoparticles are explored for targeted drug delivery and biomolecule interactions.
• Understanding metal nanoparticle-RNA interactions is key for advancing RNA-based therapeutics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interfacial interaction between iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) and RNA.
• To analyze the structural modifications of RNA upon interaction with FeONPs.

Main Methods:

• Thermodynamic analysis to study RNA structural transitions.
• Near-UV Circular Dichroism to assess changes in RNA chirality and base stacking.
• Ethidium bromide intercalation assay to evaluate RNA structure accessibility.
• Assessment of RNase A-mediated degradation to determine RNA stability.

Main Results:

• Favorable entropy changes indicated structural modifications and multi-layered RNA adsorption onto FeONPs, forming a nano-corona.
• Non-two-state thermodynamic transitions and homogenous RNA populations at higher FeONP concentrations suggested altered intra- and inter-molecular interactions.
• Near-UV Circular Dichroism revealed changes in RNA chirality due to base stacking, reducing ethidium bromide intercalation.
• The RNA-adsorbed FeONP complex demonstrated significant protection against RNase A degradation via steric hindrance.

Conclusions:

• The study elucidates the structural intricacies of RNA adsorbed onto FeONPs.
• Insights into the stability of the RNA-FeONP complex against nuclease activity were provided.
• The findings suggest potential applications for RNA-adsorbed FeONPs in RNA-based therapeutics.