Biological applications of protein transduction technology.
The impermeable nature of the cell membrane to peptides, proteins, DNA and oligonucleotides limits the therapeutic potential of these biological agents. However, the recent discovery of short cationic peptides that cross the plasma membrane efficiently is opening up new possibilities for the intracellular delivery of such agents. These peptides are commonly referred to as protein transduction domains (PTDs) and are successfully used to transport heterologous proteins, peptides and other types of cargo into cells. Several recent reports have used the membrane transducing technology in vivo to deliver biologically active cargo into various tissues. This review discusses the structure of the most commonly used PTDs and how their ability to transduce membranes is used to regulate biological functions. It also considers future directions and the potential of this technology to move from the laboratory into the clinic.
Kabouridis
Panagiotis S
PS
Bone and Joint Research Unit, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK. p.s.kabouridis@qmul.ac.uk
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D051943:Antennapedia Homeodomain Protein; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004337:Drug Carriers; D015696:Gene Products, tat / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021381:Protein Transport; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors
D051943:Antennapedia Homeodomain Protein; D004337:Drug Carriers; D015696:Gene Products, tat; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010455:Peptides; D011506:Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors