| abstract |
The present invention provides a method for in-troducing nucleic acids into cells. The method involves exposing the cells to a compound having formula (1), in which w is a nucleic acid, x is a peptide or amino acid, y is a linker having a chain length equivalent to 1 to 20 carbon atoms or is absent, R4 is H or CH2O - R3; and R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and are either hy-drogen, methyl, ethyl, hydroxyl or an acyl group derived from a fatty acid having a carbon chain of 3 to 24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated, with the proviso that at least one of R1, R2 and R3 is an acyl group derived from a fatty acid, or to a compound having the formula (2): w.....xy NHCH2CH2OR5, in which w is a nucle ic acid, x is a peptide or amino acid, y is a linker having a chain length equivalent to 1 to 20 carbon atoms or is absent, R5 is an acy l group derived from a fatty acid having a carbon chain of 3 to 24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated. The invention also relates to thes e compounds. |