| POLYMERS Vol.58 No.3 |
| >> Japanese | >> English |
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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| Copyright(C) 2009 The Society of Polymer Science, Japan All Rights Reserved. |