Premium
Observing an Antisense Drug Complex in Intact Human Cells by in‐Cell NMR Spectroscopy
Author(s) -
Schlagnitweit Judith,
Friebe Sandoz Sarah,
Jaworski Aleksander,
Guzzetti Ileana,
Aussenac Fabien,
Carbajo Rodrigo J.,
Chiarparin Elisabetta,
Pell Andrew J.,
Petzold Katja
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chembiochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1439-7633
pISSN - 1439-4227
DOI - 10.1002/cbic.201900297
Subject(s) - hela , hek 293 cells , transfection , nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy , biophysics , chemistry , oligonucleotide , biomolecule , drug , macromolecule , cell , dna , biochemistry , biology , gene , stereochemistry , pharmacology
Gaining insight into the uptake, trafficking and target engagement of drugs in cells can enhance understanding of a drug's function and efficiency. However, there are currently no reliable methods for studying untagged biomolecules in macromolecular complexes in intact human cells. Here we have studied an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) drug in HEK 293T and HeLa cells by NMR spectroscopy. Using a combination of transfection, cryoprotection and dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), we were able to detect the drug directly in intact frozen cells. Activity of the drug was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). By applying DNP NMR to frozen cells, we overcame limitations both of solution‐state in‐cell NMR spectroscopy (e.g., size, stability and sensitivity) and of visualization techniques, in which (e.g., fluorescent) tagging of the ASO decreases its activity. The capability to detect an untagged, active drug, interacting in its natural environment, represents a first step towards studying molecular mechanisms in intact cells.