Methods and compositions for enhancing delivery of double-stranded rna or a double-stranded hybrid nucleic acid to regulate gene expression in mammalian cells

Abstract

A delivery-enhancing peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:11 or salt thereof. This invention is directed towards methods and compositions to administer a double-stranded ribonucleic acid to a mammal so as to effectuate transfection of the double-stranded RNA into a desired tissue of the mammal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A delivery-enhancing peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:11 or salt thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The delivery-enhancing peptide of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery-enhancing peptide is modified by incorporation of one or more amino—and/or carboxy—terminal chemical modifications. 
     
     
         3 . The delivery-enhancing peptide of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more amino—and/or carboxy—terminal chemical modifications are selected from the group consisting of an amide, BrAc, and maleimide group. 
     
     
         4 . A composition comprising a delivery-enhancing peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:11 or salt thereof, and a nucleic acid. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the nucleic acid is a single stranded nucleic acid or a double-stranded nucleic acid. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the nucleic acid comprises RNA and/or DNA. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the nucleic acid is an siRNA or siHyrbid. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the delivery-enhansing peptide is in a complex with the nucleic acid or is conjugated to the nucleic acid. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 4  further comprising a surfactant, liposome, long chain amphipathic molecule, cyclodextrin, chelating agent, amino acid, or salt thereof, or any combination thereof.