Efficient nucleic acid delivery in mammalian and plant cells using precisely engineered cationic perylenes

Nanocarbon materials have emerged as promising platforms for nucleic acid delivery, bioimaging, and biosensing. Although fullerene derivatives have been employed as delivery carriers, their molecular structures have not been precisely optimized for efficient delivery. Herein, we report the development of a rationally designed cationic perylene derivative, SMZ052, for effective nucleic acid delivery. SMZ052 exhibits delivery efficiencies comparable to those of widely used lipid-based carriers for both plasmid DNA and siRNA. Mechanistic studies have revealed that cellular uptake occurs via cholesterol-dependent pathways including macropinocytosis. Furthermore, SMZ052 enabled the successful transfection of plasmid DNA into tobacco BY-2 protoplasts, demonstrating its applicability in plant science. Our findings highlight the potential of structurally tailored nanocarbon materials as versatile and effective carriers for nucleic acid delivery, offering new avenues for application in plant and animal biotechnologies.