Cationic Peptides

About

Overview WSU researchers have developed a new class of cationic cell penetrating peptides called SialoPen that offers a new strategy of delivering molecules into mammalian cells. These peptides have the properties of an ideal intracellular carrier of bioactive molecules, most notably for introducing genes into cells to understand cellular function, with potential future applications in gene therapy. These peptides, prepared synthetically from the sugar amino acid called sialic acid, possess an outstanding ability to cross the plasma membrane of HeLa cells and primary neuronal cells, with uptake efficiency of 5- to 10-times than standard cell penetrating peptides (CPPs). The rate of cell uptake is significant, crossing the plasma membrane within 2 minutes after treatment as compared to at least 30 minutes for other CPPs. This rapid uptake kinetics is desirable for efficient cargo delivery. Most importantly, peptides synthesized from sialic acid are resistant to degradation by blood plasma proteases. This property is crucial because it confers increased peptide bioavailability, addressing the critical biostability problem that hampers the research and clinical potentials of CPPs.