POLYMERS Vol.58@No.3 March 2009
POLYMERS@Vol.58@No.3
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COVER STORY
Polymers that Function within a Cell
Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account
Nothing Becomes Reality Unless it is Experienced Sadahiro MASUO
<Abstract>I have belonged to several laboratories throughout my research career and I think that this has become my true wealth.
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COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews
Regulation of Cellular Function by Viral Vectors Mahito NAKANISHI
<Abstract>Non-viral gene delivery vectors have contributed to the revolution of animal cell biology since 1980's. On the other hand, viral vector is still the primary choice in various medical applications including the creation of iPS cells. This review introduces the basic features of the viral vectors for providing clues in developing revolutionary non-viral vectors for medical application.
Keywords: Virus Vector / iPS Cell / Gene Transfer / Reverse Genetics / Molecular Biology
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Genetically Encoded Fluorescent and Bioluminescent Indicator for Cellular Signaling Asami KAIHARA
<Abstract>The term “molecular imaging” implies the convergence of multiple image-capture techniques, basal cellular and molecular biology, medical physics and bioinformatics into a new imaging paradigm. Imageable biomolecules with fluorescent and/or bioluminescent protein investigated to measure cellular events. Monitoring molecular events continuously and noninvasively from living cells and small animals enables to analyze various molecular events such as activation and repression of transcription, receptor targeting, or exploring various inter- and intra-cellular pathways within a living organisms is of biomedical interest.
Keywords: Fluorescent Protein / Luciferase / Imaging
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Polymers to Regulate Cell Functions for Regenerative Medicine Yoshihiro ITO, Takashi KITAJIMA and Hiroshi ABE
<Abstract>Research on regenerative medicine is stepped up by the establishment of iPS cell. Now in order to expand various types of stem cells and regulate the differentiation of the stem cells, construction of stem cell niche using polymeric materials is required. In addition, tissue engineering for organs needs three-dimensional matrix composed of bio-functional polymers. Polymers to regulate cellular functions from inside and outside will contribute the design and construction of these bio-functional materials.
Keywords: Biomaterials / Polymer Drug / Stem Cell Culture / Tissue Engineering / Regenerative Medicine
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The Significance and Attempt to Establish the Intracellular Targeting on Gene Delivery System Shinji KAKIMOTO and Takeshi NAGASAKI
<Abstract>The intracellular targeting of nucleic acid medicines is important to maximally obtain the beneficial effects. Each nucleic acid medicine can function by interaction with several intracellular molecules localized in certain organelle and region. Thereby, the nucleic acid has to efficiently deliver to the certain target sites. We described about the previous results and perspective on controlled intracellular trafficking of gene medicines.
Keywords: Intracellular Trafficking / Gene Delivery / Gene Medicine / Organelle Targeting / Intracellular Targeting / Controlled Release
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COVER STORY: Topics and Products
Polyion Complex to Synchronize Gene Release with Cellular Recognition Shoichiro ASAYAMA
<Abstract>The aminated poly (1-vinylimidazole) (PVIm-NH2) /lactosylated poly (l-lysine) (PLL-Lac) /DNA ternary complex at pH 7.4 dissociated the PLL-Lac by the protonation of the imidazole groups of PVIm-NH2 at pH 6.0. The resulting PVIm-NH2/ DNA binary complexes easily released DNA, as compared with the PLL-Lac/PVIm-NH2/DNA ternary complex. Consequently, the PVIm-NH2 enhanced the cell-specific gene delivery by the PLL-Lac. The synergistic effect of the cell-targeting PLL-Lac and the pH-sensitive PVIm-NH2 is expected to offer unique design for gene delivery systems.
Keywords: Polyion Complex / Cellular Recogniton / Gene Release / Aminated Poly (1-vinylimidazole) / pH-Sensitivity / Ligand Dissociation / Gene Delivery
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RNA Delivery using Cell-Permeable RNA-Binding Protein Takashi OHTSUKI
<Abstract>Cellular RNA delivery using cell-permeable RNA-binding protein and photoinduced RNAi method are mentioned in this topic.
Keywords: siRNA / shRNA / RNAi / tRNA / RNA-Binding Protein
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In Cell Nucleic Acid Sensing Shinsuke SANDO
<Abstract>Nucleic acid sensing is a rapidly growing area. Especially intriguing is a method which enables nucleic acid sensing/detection under homogeneous conditions. This paper reports recent advances on mix-and-read type method aiming at in cell nucleic acid analysis.
Keywords: Biopolymer / Nucleic Acid / In Cell Analysis
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Smart PEGylated Nanogel Particles for Apoptosis Imaging Motoi OISHI
<Abstract>A smart nanoprobe based on the PEGylated nanogel containing gold nanoparticles (GNPs) (fluorescence quencher) in the polyamine gel core and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled DEVD peptide at the tethered PEG chain end was prepared for monitoring the apoptotic cells. The FITC-DEVD-nanogel-GNP showed almost no fluorescence signals in the absence of activated casapase-3 (in normal cells), whereas recovery of pronounced fluorescence signals was observed in apoptotic cells, thus, achieving remarkable quenching/dequenching of fluorescence signals in response to apoptosis.
Keywords: Nanogel / Apoptosis / Caspase-3 / Gold Nanoparticle / DEVD Peptide / Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) / Imaging
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Front-Line Polymer Science
Amphiphilic Polymers in Aqueous Solution Akihito HASHIDZUME and Takahiro SATO
<Abstract>Amphiphilic polymers that bear hydrophobic and hydrophilic units on the same polymer chain have received particular attention in the last two or more decades because they exhibit versatile and yet characteristic properties in aqueous media. This article reviews recent researches on structures, properties, and functions of amphiphilic random and block copolymers as well as telechelic polymers in aqueous solution.
Keywords: Amphiphilic Polymers / Hydrophobically Modified Water Soluble Polymers / Random (Statistical) Copolymers / Block Copolymers / Telechelic Polymers / Micelle / Gel
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