Schizophyllans carrying oligosaccharide appendages as potential candidates for cell-targeted antisense carrier

Abstract

Schizophyllans carrying β-lactoside and α-mannoside appendages were prepared from native schizophyllan through NaIO₄ oxidation followed by reductive amination using aminoethyl-β-lactoside and α-mannoside, respectively. The resulting schizophyllans form stable macromolecular complexes with polynucleotides, such as poly(C) and poly(dA). Specific affinity between these macromolecular complexes and saccharide-binding proteins was demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance and agarose gel staining assays. β-Lactoside-appended schizophyllan enhanced an antisense activity in hepatocytes which express lactoside-binding proteins on their cell surfaces.