Preparation of avidin-labelled gelatin nanoparticles as carriers for biotinylated peptide nucleic acid (PNA)

The possibility of preparing uniform nanoparticles consisting of proteins s uch as gelatin followed by covalent linkage of avidin was investigated. Gel atin nanoparticles were prepared by two step desolvation. Functional groups at the surface of the particulate system were quantified with site-specifi c reagents. The surface of the nanoparticles was thiolated and avidin was c ovalently attached to the nanoparticles via a bifunctional spacer at high l evels. Biotinylated peptide nucleic acid (PNA) was effectively complexed by the avidin-conjugated nanoparticles. Avidin-conjugated protein nanoparticl es should prove as potential carrier system for biotinylated drug derivativ es in antisense therapy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved .