Gold Nanoparticle-Aptamer Conjugate for Peptide Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current antimicrobial peptide delivery methods face challenges such as toxicity to normal cells, limited storage stability, and low delivery accuracy, which hinder their effective use against bacterial infections, especially those resistant to conventional antibiotics.

Innovation Solution

A gold nanoparticle-aptamer conjugate is developed, where an aptamer with high binding affinity to the antimicrobial peptide WLBU2 is covalently bonded to gold nanoparticles, creating a delivery vehicle that enhances the intracellular delivery of WLBU2 while minimizing toxicity and improving stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If antimicrobial peptides are delivered directly into cells, then antibacterial activity is achieved, but toxicity to normal cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantibacterial activityVSAvoidtoxicity to normal cells

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gold nanoparticle-aptamer conjugate as an intermediary delivery vehicle. The aptamer specifically binds to the antimicrobial peptide WLBU2, and the gold nanoparticle serves as the delivery carrier that enters target cells. This intermediary system allows controlled release of the peptide only at the target site, reducing indiscriminate toxicity to normal cells while maintaining antibacterial efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, then bacterial growth is inhibited, but bacterial resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantibacterial efficacyVSAvoidbacterial resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional antibiotic mechanisms to antimicrobial peptide-based therapy. AMPs like WLBU2 operate through a fundamentally different mechanism (membrane disruption via amphipathic structure) compared to traditional antibiotics, thereby bypassing existing bacterial resistance mechanisms. The gold nanoparticle delivery system further optimizes parameters by controlling peptide release kinetics and cellular uptake, enhancing efficacy while preventing resistance development.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If antimicrobial peptides are stored for long periods, then drug availability is maintained, but storage stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage durationVSAvoidpeptide stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The gold nanoparticle acts as a protective intermediary carrier that shields the antimicrobial peptide from environmental degradation during storage. The nanoparticle-con peptide conjugate structure protects the peptide from proteolytic degradation and aggregation, maintaining its structural integrity and biological activity over extended storage periods while enabling long-term availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If antimicrobial peptides are delivered systemically, then broad coverage is achieved, but delivery accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage rangeVSAvoiddelivery accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a segmented approach where the delivery system is divided into distinct functional components: the gold nanoparticle carrier, the aptamer targeting ligand, and the antimicrobial peptide payload. The aptamer provides specific recognition for target cells, enabling selective delivery to infected sites while minimizing systemic distribution. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both broad coverage through nanoparticle circulation and high delivery accuracy through aptamer-mediated targeting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The gold nanoparticle-aptamer conjugate effectively delivers WLBU2 into target cells, enhancing its antibacterial activity against both susceptible and resistant bacteria, thereby addressing the limitations of existing delivery methods and providing a more stable and accurate delivery system.

Implementation Method 1

an aptamer with high binding affinity to the antimicrobial peptide WLBU2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolecular recognition:

Implementation Method 2

enhances the intracellular delivery of WLBU2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCellular uptake:

Data Source

PatentEP4534078A1Antimicrobial protein carrier based on gold nanoparticle-aptamer conjugate and fabrication method therefor

Publication Date: 2025.04.09 NES BIOTECHNOLOGY CO LTD

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AI summary

The present invention relates to an antimicrobial peptide delivery vehicle capable of efficiently delivering an antimicrobial peptide into cells and inducing its expression. The delivery vehicle comprises a gold nanoparticle and an aptamer that specifically binds to the antimicrobial peptide. The invention also encompasses a method for preparing the delivery vehicle and an antimicrobial composition comprising the same.