Biologically active synthetic nanoparticle constructs and methods of use thereof

1. A biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct comprising:

i. a biologically inert substrate;

ii. a plurality of single copies of DNA binding domains;

iii. a plurality of single copies of nuclear localization signals; and

iv. a plurality of single copies of transcriptional activation domains,

wherein the plurality of DNA binding domains are each individually covalently attached to a surface of the biologically inert substrate,

wherein the plurality of nuclear localization signals are each individually covalently attached to the surface of the biologically inert substrate,

wherein the plurality of transcriptional activation domains are each individually covalently attached to the surface of the biologically inert substrate,

wherein the plurality of transcriptional activation domains consist of peptides comprising D-amino acids,

wherein the plurality of DNA binding domains comprise one of oligonucleotides, small molecules, and peptide nucleic acids, and

wherein the ratios of nuclear localization signals and DNA binding domains to activation domains are effective to ensure sufficient nuclear uptake and provide a binding affinity essentially equivalent to naturally-occurring DNA binding proteins.

2. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 1 wherein the biologically inert substrate is selected from the group consisting of: gold nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, magnetic-core shell nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, mesoporous nanoparticles, quantum dots, supramolecular nanoparticles, and polymer-based nanoparticles.

3. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 1 wherein the plurality of DNA binding domains is selected from the group consisting of: hairpin polyamides, zinc finger domains, triple forming oligonucleotides, transcription activator-like effectors, oligonucleotide analogs, locked-nucleic acids, peptide nucleic acids, and combinations thereof.

4. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of DNA binding are hairpin polyamides, and wherein the hairpin polyamides comprise at least one N-methyl-imidazole moiety or at least one N-methyl pyrrole moiety, or combinations thereof, arranged sequentially on said polyamide to bind a target gene.

5. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 1 wherein the plurality of nuclear localization signals are attached to the surface of the biologically inert substrate by crosslinking molecules and wherein the plurality of DNA binding domains are attached to the surface of the biologically inert substrate by crosslinking molecules.

6. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 1 wherein the plurality of nuclear localization signals are derived from a SV-40 antigen, derived form an HIV-1 antigen, or derived from the group consisting of: TAT, Penetratin, MAP, Transportin/TP10, VP22, MPG, Pep1, pVEC, YTA2, YTA4, M918, CADY, and combinations thereof.

7. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 1 wherein the plurality of nuclear localization signals follow the Chelsky sequence.

8. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 1 wherein the plurality of nuclear localization signals are non-classical.

9. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 1 wherein the biologically inert substrate comprises a gold nanoparticle.

10. A biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct comprising:

i. a biologically inert substrate;

ii. a plurality of single copies of DNA binding domains;

iii. a plurality of single copies of nuclear localization signals; and

iv. a plurality of single copies of transcriptional repression domains,

wherein the plurality of DNA binding domains are each individually covalently attached to a surface of the biologically inert substrate,

wherein the plurality of nuclear localization signals are each individually covalently attached to the surface of the biologically inert substrate,

wherein the plurality of transcriptional repression domains are each individually covalently attached to the surface of the biologically inert substrate,

wherein the plurality of transcriptional repression domains consist of peptides comprising D-amino acids,

wherein the plurality of DNA binding domains comprise one of oligonucleotides, small molecules, and peptide nucleic acids, and

wherein the ratios of nuclear localization signals and DNA binding domains to transcriptional repression domains are effective to ensure sufficient nuclear uptake and provide a binding affinity essentially equivalent to naturally-occurring DNA binding proteins.

11. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle of claim 10 wherein the biologically inert substrate is selected from the group consisting of: gold nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, magnetic-core shell nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, mesoporous nanoparticles, quantum dots, supramolecular nanoparticles, and polymer-based nanoparticles.

12. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 10 wherein the plurality of DNA binding domains is selected from the group consisting of: hairpin polyamides, zinc finger domains, triple forming oligonucleotides, transcription activator-like effectors, oligonucleotide analogs, locked-nucleic acids, peptide nucleic acids, and combinations thereof.

13. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 12 wherein the plurality of DNA binding are hairpin polyamides, and wherein the hairpin polyamides comprise at least one N-methyl-imidazole moiety or at least one N-methyl pyrrole moiety, or combinations thereof, arranged sequentially on said polyamide to bind a target gene.

14. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 10 wherein the plurality of nuclear localization signals are attached to the surface of the biologically inert substrate by crosslinking molecules and wherein the plurality of DNA binding domains are attached to the surface of the biologically inert substrate by crosslinking molecules.

15. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 10 wherein the plurality of nuclear localization signals are derived from a SV-40 antigen, derived form an HIV-1 antigen, or derived from the group consisting of: TAT, Penetratin, MAP, Transportin/TP10, VP22, MPG, Pep1, pVEC, YTA2, YTA4, M918, CADY, and combinations thereof.

16. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 10 wherein the plurality of nuclear localization signals follow the Chelsky sequence.

17. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 10 wherein the plurality of nuclear localization signals are non-classical.

18. The biologically active synthetic nanoparticle construct of claim 10 wherein the biologically inert substrate comprises a gold nanoparticle.