Enhancement in selective mitochondrial association by direct modification of a mitochondrial targeting signal peptide on a liposomal based nanocarrier.

The focus of this study was on the development of a nano carrier targeted to mitochondria, a promising therapeutic drug target. We synthesized a lipid derivative that is conjugated with a mitochondrial targeting signal peptide (MTS), which permits the selective delivery of certain types of proteins to mitochondria. We then explored the use of an innovative technology in which MTS and the MITO-Porter were integrated. The latter is a liposome that delivers cargos to mitochondria via membrane fusion. The results indicate that the combination of MTS and the MITO-Porter would be useful for selective mitochondrial delivery via membrane fusion.