Arginine containing peptides as delivery vectors.
Recently several membrane translocalizational signals (MTS) have been identified and applied to various applications. These peptide signals, ranging between nine and 30 amino acid residues in length, have the capability of crossing plasma membrane, in addition to delivering other biological molecules into cells. To date, small molecules, peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, plasmids and even nanometer-sized particles have been delivered. These MTS sequences vary from hydrophobic to purely hydrophilic, and, surprisingly, all of them are able to penetrate cellular membrane in an energy-independent pathway. Potentially, MTS could be used as delivery vectors for a number of therapeutic agents. In this review, we specifically focus on arginine-containing MTS, and their properties, characteristics, in vitro and in vivo applications are discussed in detail.
Tung
Ching-Hsuan
CH
Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 149 13th St., Rm. 5406, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA. tung@helix.mgh.harvard.edu
Weissleder
Ralph
R
D001120:Arginine / Q000737:chemistry*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D004337:Drug Carriers; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D010455:Peptides; D011506:Proteins; D001120:Arginine