Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

Protein transduction domains (PTDs) or cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) that are small peptides composed of amino acids has been reported to translocate across the cell membrane. PTD mediates efficient delivery of DNA, RNA, proteins and drugs into cells. The transactivator of transcription (Tat) pro...

Protein transduction domains (PTDs) or cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) that are small peptides composed of amino acids has been reported to translocate across the cell membrane. PTD mediates efficient delivery of DNA, RNA, proteins and drugs into cells. The transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein of HIV-1 has been widely studied on intracellular uptake of Tat protein and its fragments as PTDs. To show the therapeutic effect in cells, exogenous therapeutic biomolecules need to deliver into cells and retain within cells by PTD. Tat peptide and nona-arginine as PTDs were fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) to visualize the intracellular transduction and retention and seven kinds of PTD-GFP fusion proteins were constructed. Interestingly, Tat transduced fast into cells but not retained. However, nona-arginine fused to C-terminus of GFP transduced as fast as Tat and retained within cells. Tat and nona-arginine fused GFP together showed effective transduction efficiency and retention effect within cells. In conclusion, effective PTD combinations for protein drug delivery were developed and shown to have dual positive effects of cell transduction and retention. These PTD-protein combinations possess a strong potential to be developed as fusion protein drugs for the treatment or prevention of diverse diseases.

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