Lipophilic and/or lytic peptides for specific delivery of nucleic acids to cells

摘要

The invention relates in part to molecular complexes for delivering macromolecules (e.g., nucleic acid molecules) into cells. These molecular complexes can comprise lipophilic peptides that condense and stabilize the macromolecule. These lipophilic binding peptides can also comprise moieties that target the macromolecule to specific cells in an organism. In addition, the molecular complexes can comprise lipophilic peptides that can lyse endosomal structures within cells and thereby enhance delivery of the macromolecule into cells. The invention also relates in part to methods of delivering macromolecules to cells using the molecular complexes described herein. Thus, the present invention provides for efficient and specific delivery of nucleic acid molecules into cells.