Organelle-level precision with next-generation targeting technologies

Precision Nanomedicines: Targeting Hot Mitochondria in Cancer Cells

“…Although tumor-targeted drug delivery systems are relatively well established, the idea of targeting subcellular organelles in cancer cells could lead to next-generation cancer therapy . The research on subcellular organelle targeting has been on the rise in recent years. − In particular, mitochondrial targeting is a key subject for cancer therapy due to the close association between mitochondria and cancer. Here, mitochondria-targeted strategies are summarized and presented (Table ).…”

“…MTS consisting of 20–40 amino acids can target mitochondria through recognizing by receptors on the outer mitochondrial membrane. It is an irreversible process that MTS will be broken down by peptidases after entering into the mitochondrial matrix . The hydrophobicity and positive charge of MTS facilitate its targeting to mitochondria.…”

Principles of Nanoparticle Design for Genome Editing in Plants

“…Physical models explaining the distribution of nanoparticles within plant cells have been proposed, but how conjugation of biomolecular cargo alters nanoparticle localization remains understudied ( Lew et al, 2018 ). Spatial control over the nanoparticle subcellular localization will uncover the potential utility of nanoparticles in organelle genome editing and metabolic engineering ( Figure 2A ) ( Saminathan et al, 2021 ). Previously peptide biorecognition motif conjugations have been used to deliver plasmid DNA into chloroplast and mitochondria of intact plants ( Yoshizumi et al, 2018 ; Thagun et al, 2019 ), but their use for targeting CRISPR Cas reagents remains unexplored.…”

Engineering of small molecular organic nanoparticles for mitochondria-targeted mild photothermal therapy of malignant breast cancers

“…[21][22][23][24] Mitochondria are widespread in the cytoplasm, which play essential roles in cell differentiation, apoptosis and cell growth regulation. 25,26 Medicines with mitochondria targeting functions could generally overcome multiple drug resistance, and exhibit improved therapeutic efficacy, enhanced safety, and reduced side effects, compared to their pristine counterparts. [27][28][29][30][31] Since PTT is a localized treatment strategy to destroy tumor cells by conversion of light irradiation into hyperthermia, it often fails to achieve the complete removal of infiltrating tumors, which leads to the recurrence and even the metastasis of the tumors in the long run.…”