Photodamage of lipid bilayers by irradiation of a fluorescently labeled cell-penetrating peptide.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fluorescently labeled cell-penetrating peptides can translocate into cells by endocytosis and upon light irradiation, lyse the endocytic vesicles. This photo-inducible endosomolytic activity of Fl-CPPs can be used to efficiently deliver macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids and other small organic molecules into the cytosol of live cells. The requirement of a light trigger to induce photolysis provides a more spatial and temporal control to the intracellular delivery process.

Methods

In this report, we examine the molecular level mechanisms by which cell-penetrating peptides such as TAT when labeled with small organic fluorophore molecules acquire a photo-induced lytic activity using a simplified model of lipid vesicles.

Results

The peptide TAT

SUBMITTER: Meerovich I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3918956 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature