Development of a novel alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-selective cell-penetrating peptide for intracellular cargo transport.

ABSTRACT: Cell membranes present barriers to the intracellular delivery of therapeutic agents. This impediment is frequently exacerbated by the hydrophobic characteristics of many such molecules, ultimately reducing the efficiency of their cellular uptake and therapeutic effectiveness. Therapeutics are being created that exploit natural bypass mechanisms by forming complexes with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) derived from viruses. However, current CPPs lack the ability to selectively target precise cellular macromolecules. As a result, they are distributed broadly and cause off-target side effects. Neurotropic CPPs derived from the rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG) can access the brain by binding to plasma membrane targets, including, but not exclusively, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).

SUBMITTER: Weber L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12667308 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature