Abstract: The problem to be solved is to provide a novel expression vector capable of effectively expressing a target protein in mitochondria and suppressing undesirable expression of the target protein in cell organelles other than mitochondria. The present invention provides a recombinant expression vector for expressing a target protein in mitochondria of animal cells, and a lipid membrane structure having the vector encapsulated therein, wherein the recombinant expression vector has a promoter sequence exhibiting a transcription activity in the nuclei of animal cells, and has, under the control of the promoter sequence, a coding region which codes a target protein and includes one or more TGAs as codons corresponding to tryptophan. The recombinant expression vector according to the present invention can more efficiently and selectively express a target protein in mitochondria, and can be used as a more safe and effective drug for treating mitochondrial diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides, a cationic lipid represented by the formula (1) (wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification), a lipid membrane structure using the aforementioned cationic lipid, a nucleic acid-introducing agent using the aforementioned cationic lipid, and a method for introducing a nucleic acid by using the aforementioned nucleic acid-introducing agent.

Abstract: A lyophilized composition capable of encapsulating any nucleic acid with high efficiency and easily is provided. A lyophilized composition of lipid nanoparticles not containing a nucleic acid but containing an ionic lipid, a sterol, a PEG lipid, an acidic buffer component that shows a buffering action at pH 1-6, and a cryoprotectant, wherein a weight ratio of the cryoprotectant and a total lipid is 10:1-1000:1.

Abstract: The present invention provides an O/W type emulsion having a volume median diameter of not more than 100 nm and containing a compound represented by the formula (1) wherein Xa and Xb are each independently X1, X2 or a 1,4-piperazinediyl group; s is 1 or 2, R4 is an alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, na and nb are each independently 0 or 1, R1a, R1b, R2a and R2b are each independently an alkylene group having 1-6 carbon atoms, Ya and Yb are each independently an ester bond, or the like, and R3a and R3b are each independently a liposoluble vitamin residue or the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a cationic lipid, a lipid membrane structure containing same, and use thereof. The cationic lipid is represented by the formula (1) wherein R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b, R3a, R3b, Xa, Xb, Yb, Za, and Zb are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: The invention provides a cationic lipid, a lipid membrane structure containing same, and use thereof. The cationic lipid is represented by the formula (1) wherein R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b, R3a, R3b, Xa, Xb, Ya, Yb, Za, and Zb are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a cationic lipid that can be used as a nucleic acid delivery carrier, a lipid membrane structure using a cationic lipid, a nucleic acid-introducing agent using a cationic lipid, and a method of achieving nucleic acid introduction by using a nucleic acid-introducing agent containing a cationic lipid. A lipid membrane structure containing a cationic lipid represented by the formula (1) wherein each symbol is as defined in the DESCRIPTION, is superior in the stability in blood and tumor accumulation property. A nucleic acid-introducing agent using the cationic lipid can achieve high nucleic acid delivery efficiency of nucleic acid to be delivered into the cytoplasm.

Abstract: The present invention provides an O/W type emulsion having a volume median diameter of not more than 100 nm and containing a compound represented by the formula (1) wherein Xa and Xb are each independently X1, X2 or a 1,4-piperazinediyl group; s is 1 or 2, R4 is an alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, na and nb are each independently 0 or 1, R1a, R1b, R2a and R2b are each independently an alkylene group having 1-6 carbon atoms, Ya and Yb are each independently an ester bond, or the like, and R3a and R3b are each independently a liposoluble vitamin residue or the like.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a novel expression vector capable of effectively expressing a target protein in mitochondria and suppressing undesirable expression of the target protein in cell organelles other than mitochondria. [Solution] The present invention provides a recombinant expression vector for expressing a target protein in mitochondria of animal cells, and a lipid membrane structure having the vector encapsulated therein, wherein the recombinant expression vector has a promoter sequence exhibiting a transcription activity in the nuclei of animal cells, and has, under the control of the promoter sequence, a coding region which codes a target protein and includes one or more TGAs as codons corresponding to tryptophan. The recombinant expression vector according to the present invention can more efficiently and selectively express a target protein in mitochondria, and can be used as a more safe and effective drug for treating mitochondrial diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides a cationic lipid capable of achieving higher intracellular delivery efficiency than conventional cationic lipids, when used as a lipid membrane structure which is a carrier for delivering functional nucleic acid. The cationic lipid is represented by the formula (1): wherein each symbol is as defined herein.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a cationic lipid that can be used as a nucleic acid delivery carrier, a lipid membrane structure using a cationic lipid, a nucleic acid-introducing agent using a cationic lipid, and a method of achieving nucleic acid introduction by using a nucleic acid-introducing agent containing a cationic lipid. A lipid membrane structure containing a cationic lipid represented by the formula (1) wherein each symbol is as defined in the DESCRIPTION, is superior in the stability in blood and tumor accumulation property. A nucleic acid-introducing agent using the cationic lipid can achieve high nucleic acid delivery efficiency of nucleic acid to be delivered into the cytoplasm.

Abstract: The invention provides a cationic lipid capable of achieving higher intracellular delivery efficiency than conventional cationic lipids, when used as a lipid membrane structure which is a carrier for delivering functional nucleic acid. The cationic lipid is represented by the formula (1): wherein each symbol is as defined herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound represented by the formula (1) wherein Xa and Xb are each independently X1 or X2; s is 1 or 2, R4 is an alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, na and nb are each independently 0 or 1, R1a and R1b are each independently an alkylene group having 1-6 carbon atoms, R2a and R2b are each independently an alkylene group having 1-6 carbon atoms, Ya and Yb are each independently an ester bond, an amide bond, a carbamate bond, an ether bond or a urea bond, and R3a and R3b are each independently a sterol residue, a liposoluble vitamin residue or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 12-22 carbon atoms, and use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liposome having excellent lung migration ability that had not existed hitherto, by including GALA or Chol-GALA in the liposome. Furthermore, by using the liposome, a pulmonary delivery carrier having a stronger knockdown effect of siRNA when compared to existing carriers is provided.

Abstract: A lipid membrane structure for delivering a substance into a nucleus of a cell, wherein lipid membrane is modified with (a) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or (b) a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, but including deletion and/or substitution and/or insertion of one or several amino acid residues, and having an activity of promoting migration of the lipid membrane structure into a nucleus of a cell, which can efficiently deliver a nucleic acid into a nucleus of an immunocyte such as dendritic cell.

Abstract: A lipid membrane structure for delivering a substance into a nucleus of a cell, wherein lipid membrane is modified with (a) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or (b) a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, but including deletion and/or substitution and/or insertion of one or several amino acid residues, and having an activity of promoting migration of the lipid membrane structure into a nucleus of a cell, which can efficiently deliver a nucleic acid into a nucleus of an immunocyte such as dendritic cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound represented by the formula (1) wherein Xa and Xb are each independently X1 or X2; s is 1 or 2, R4 is an alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, na and nb are each independently 0 or 1, R1a and R1b are each independently an alkylene group having 1-6 carbon atoms, R2a and R2b are each independently an alkylene group having 1-6 carbon atoms, Ya and Yb are each independently an ester bond, an amide bond, a carbamate bond, an ether bond or a urea bond, and R3a and R3b are each independently a sterol residue, a liposoluble vitamin residue or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 12-22 carbon atoms, and use thereof.

Abstract: Provided are peptides imparting cell permeability to a lipid membrane structure and/or enhancing the cell permeability of a lipid membrane structure, and a lipid membrane structure which comprises, as a constituent lipid, a lipid bound to such a peptide and has cell permeability or shows enhanced cell permeability. The amino acid sequences of the peptides imparting cell permeability to a lipid membrane structure and/or enhancing the cell permeability of a lipid membrane structure are represented by: LX1X2X1X1X1L, LLX2X1X1X1L and LX1X2X1X1L (wherein L represents a leucine residue; X1 represents a polar amino acid residue; and X2 represents a polar, non-charged and branched chain amino acid residue).

Abstract: The present invention provides a liposome having excellent lung migration ability that had not existed hitherto, by including GALA or Chol-GALA in the liposome. Furthermore, by using the liposome, a pulmonary delivery carrier having a stronger knockdown effect of siRNA when compared to existing carriers is provided.

Abstract: A lipid membrane structure for delivering a substance into a nucleus of a cell, wherein lipid membrane is modified with (a) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or (b) a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, but including deletion and/or substitution and/or insertion of one or several amino acid residues, and having an activity of promoting migration of the lipid membrane structure into a nucleus of a cell, which can efficiently deliver a nucleic acid into a nucleus of an immunocyte such as dendritic cell.