Proline-rich cell-penetrating peptides, particularly the SAP (sweet arrow peptide), (VRLPPP)3, have been proposed to be useful intracellular delivery vectors, as a result of their lack of cytotoxicity combined with their capacity to be internalized by cells. A common limitation of the therapeutic use of peptides is metabolic instability. In general, peptides are quickly degraded by proteases upon entry into the bloodstream. The use of all-D-peptide derivatives is emerging as a fruitful strategy to circumvent this degradation problem. In this context, we report on the internalization behaviour, protease-resistance enhancement and self-assembly properties of an all-D version of SAP [(vrlppp)3]. The cellular uptake of (vrlppp)3 was evaluated in an in vivo assay in mice. Both flow cytometry and confocal laser-scanning microscopy experiments showed that a carboxyfluoresceinated version of the molecule, carboxyfluorescein–(vrlppp)3, is internalized rapidly in white blood cells and kidney cells. Significant fluorescence was also detected in other organs such as the spleen and the liver. Finally, the toxicity of (vrlppp)3 was examined, and no significant differences in the main biochemical parameters nor in weight were detected compared with controls.
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August 2007
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Conference Article|
July 20 2007
all-D proline-rich cell-penetrating peptides: a preliminary in vivo internalization study
S. Pujals;
S. Pujals
*Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona Science Park, Josep Samitier 1-5, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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E. Sabidó;
E. Sabidó
*Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona Science Park, Josep Samitier 1-5, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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T. Tarragó;
T. Tarragó
*Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona Science Park, Josep Samitier 1-5, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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E. Giralt
E. Giralt
1
*Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona Science Park, Josep Samitier 1-5, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
†Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Barcelona, c/Martí i Franquès, 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email egiralt@pcb.ub.es).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
April 24 2007
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2007 Biochemical Society
2007
Biochem Soc Trans (2007) 35 (4): 794–796.
Article history
Received:
April 24 2007
Citation
S. Pujals, E. Sabidó, T. Tarragó, E. Giralt; all-D proline-rich cell-penetrating peptides: a preliminary in vivo internalization study. Biochem Soc Trans 1 August 2007; 35 (4): 794–796. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0350794
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