Dual-targeting pro-apoptotic peptide for programmed cancer cell death via specific mitochondria damage.

ABSTRACT: Mitochondria are vital organelles to eukaryotic cells. Damage to mitochondria will cause irreversible cell death or apoptosis. In this report, we aim at programmed cancer cell death via specific mitochondrial damage. Herein, a functionalized pro-apoptotic peptide demonstrates a dual-targeting capability using folic acid (FA) (targeting agent I) and triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cation (targeting agent II). FA is a cancer-targeting agent, which can increase the cellular uptake of the pro-apoptotic peptide via receptor-mediated endocytosis. And the TPP cation is the mitochondrial targeting agent, which specifically delivers the pro-apoptotic peptide to its particular subcellular mitochondria after internalized by cancer cells. Then the pro-apoptotic peptide accumulates in mitochondria and cause

SUBMITTER: Chen WH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3863817 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature