The delivery of biologically active (therapeutic) peptides and proteins into cells

Curr Med Chem. 2011;18(9):1373-9. doi: 10.2174/092986711795029591.

Abstract

Biologically active peptides and proteins have a great potential to act as targeted drug therapies in the treatment of a variety of diseases, including cancer. However, their use in vivo is limited by their low stability and cell permeability. Thus, it is necessary to develop efficient and safe peptide/protein delivery systems that can overcome these problems and increase a therapy's bioavailability. The search for promising vectors has led to the use of compounds called cell-penetrating peptides or protein transduction domains. The cell-penetrating peptides, as effective transporter, are utilized to enhance uptake of various biologically active peptide/protein cargos upon fusion or attachment to its sequences. Cell-penetrating peptides have been the subject of investigation of many researchers, however this review only focuses on the arginine-rich and amphipathic carriers and their potential therapeutic use.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / chemistry*
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / metabolism
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Peptides / administration & dosage*
  • Peptides / therapeutic use
  • Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Trans-Activators / chemistry
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism

Substances

  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides
  • Drug Carriers
  • Peptides
  • Proteins
  • Trans-Activators