siRNAs encapsulated in recombinant capsid protein derived from Dengue serotype 2 virus inhibits the four serotypes of the virus and proliferation of cancer cells

•siRNA encapsulated in the Dengue virus capsid inhibit the four serotypes of Dengue virus in cells.•Capsid encapsulated siRNAs knock down Rho A and Aurorakinase B and inhibit cancer cell proliferation.•Fermentation process improves the yield of E. coli expressed capsid protein.

siRNA delivery potential of the Dengue virus capsid protein in cultured cells was recently reported, but target knockdown potential in the context of specific diseases has not been explored. In this study we have evaluated the utility of the protein as an siRNA carrier for anti Dengue viral and anti cancer applications using cell culture systems. We show that target specific siRNAs delivered using the capsid protein inhibit infection by the four serotypes of Dengue virus and proliferation of two cancer cell lines. Our data confirm the potential of the capsid for anti Dengue viral and anti cancer RNAi applications. In addition, we have optimized a fermentation strategy to improve the yield of Escherichia coli expressed D2C protein since the reported yields of E. coli expressed flaviviral capsid proteins are low.