title: Intracellular delivery of glutathione S-transferase into mammalian cells.
abstract: Protein transduction domains (PTDs) derived from human immunodeficiency virus Tat protein and herpes simplex virus VP22 protein are useful for the delivery of non-membrane-permeating polar or large molecules into living cells. In the course of our study aiming at evaluating PTD, we unexpectedly found that the fluorescent-dye-labeled glutathione S-transferase (GST) from Schistosoma japonicum without known PTDs was delivered into COS7 cells. The intracellular transduction of GST was also observed in HeLa, NIH3T3, and PC12 cells, as well as in hippocampal primary neurons, indicating that a wide range of cell types is permissive for GST transduction. Furthermore, we showed that the immunosuppressive peptide VIVIT fused with GST successfully inhibits NFAT activation. These results suggest that GST is a novel PTD which may be useful in the intracellular delivery of biologically active molecules, such as small-molecule drugs, bioactive peptides, or proteins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
authors.forename: Shigeyuki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Namiki
authors.forename: Taichiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tomida
authors.forename: Mao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanabe
authors.forename: Masamitsu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iino
authors.forename: Kenzo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirose
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016716:PC12 Cells; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021381:Protein Transport; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004337:Drug Carriers; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D009842:Oligopeptides; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C121611:VIVIT peptide; D005982:Glutathione Transferase