Membrane-active peptides have been extensively studied to probe protein–membrane interactions, to act as antimicrobial agents and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) for the delivery of therapeutic agents to cells. Hundreds of membrane-active sequences acting as CPPs have now been described including bioportides that serve as single entity modifiers of cell physiology at the intracellular level. Translation of promising CPPs in pre-clinical studies have, however, been disappointing as only few identified delivery systems have progressed to clinical trials. To search for novel membrane-active peptides a sequence from the EGFR juxtamembrane region was identified (named EJP18), synthesised, and examined in its L- and D-form for its ability to mediate the delivery of a small fluorophore and whole proteins to cancer cell lines. Initial studies identified the peptide as being highly membrane-active causing extensive and rapid plasma membrane reorganisation, blebbing, and toxicity. At lower, non-toxic concentrations the peptides outperformed the well-characterised CPP octaarginine in cellular delivery capacity for a fluorophore or proteins that were associated with the peptide covalently or via ionic interactions. EJP18 thus represents a novel membrane-active peptide that may be used as a naturally derived model for biophysical protein–membrane interactions or for delivery of cargo into cells for therapeutic or diagnostic applications.
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Cover Image
Cover Image
Left: In breast cancer cells TFEB (orange) is activated in the presence of doxorubicin, resulting in nuclear localization (top: vehicle treated, bottom: doxorubicin treated). Right: Knockdown of TFEB results in increased sensitivity to doxorubicin induced DNA damage as measured by H2A.X foci (yellow, top: vehicle treated, bottom: doxorubicin treated). Centre: In breast cancer, TFEB activation by DNA damage promotes expression of genes involved in apoptosis inhibition, DNA repair, and cell cycle regulation. Inhibition of TFEB causes increased DNA damage, interferon- and apoptosis signalling, leading to cell death. For more information see the article by Slade and colleagues on pp. 137–160. Image courtesy of Thomas Pulinilkunnil.
EJP18 peptide derived from the juxtamembrane domain of epidermal growth factor receptor represents a novel membrane-active cell-penetrating peptide
N.G. Eissa, E.J. Sayers, D. Birch, S.G. Patel, Y.-H. Tsai, H. Mørck Nielsen, A.T. Jones; EJP18 peptide derived from the juxtamembrane domain of epidermal growth factor receptor represents a novel membrane-active cell-penetrating peptide. Biochem J 17 January 2020; 477 (1): 45–60. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20190452
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