Abstract: Polynucleotide delivery-enhancing polypeptides are admixed or complexed with, or conjugated to, nucleic acids for enhancing delivery the nucleic acids into cells. The transported nucleic acids are active in target cells as small inhibitory nucleic acids (siNAs) that modulate expression of target genes, mediated at least in part by RNA interference (RNAi). The siNA/polypeptide compositions and methods of the invention provide effective tools to modulate gene expression and alter phenotype in mammalian cells, including by altering phenotype in a manner that eliminates disease symptoms or alters disease potential in targeted cells or subject individuals to which the siNA/polypeptide compositions are administered.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for administration of a double stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) molecule to an animal, comprising the dsRNA molecule and a peptide, wherein the dsRNA molecule comprises about 10 to about 40 base pairs, wherein the peptide comprises about 5 to about 40 amino acids and consists of all or part of the amino acid sequence KGSKKAVTKAQKKDGKKRKRSRKESYSVYVYKVLKQ (SEQ ID NO: 59), and wherein the peptide binds to the dsRNA molecule.