| 摘要 |
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a means for introducing RNA into a cell utilizing near-infrared light that has good biological tissue permeability (preferably having a wavelength of about 700-1000 nm) without causing the problem of cytotoxicity or heat generation. A carrier molecule according to the present invention is characterized by having a structure comprising: a carrier protein which comprises a cell-membrane-permeable peptide (CPP) and an RNA-binding protein (RBP); and a photosensitizer (PST) which is connected to the N-terminal side or the C-terminal side of the carrier protein and can act upon the irradiation with light having a wavelength falling within a near infrared region. A (carrier molecule)/RNA complex composed of the carrier molecule and RNA bound to the RBP in the carrier molecule is formed, the complex is brought into contact with a cell to localize the complex in an endosome in the cell, and subsequently the cell is irradiated with near infrared light with which the PST in the (carrier molecule)/RNA complex can act. In this manner, the (carrier molecule)/RNA complex can be dispersed in a cytoplasm, whereby the function of the introduced RNA can be exerted. |
