The molecular mechanism of photochemical internalization of cell penetrating peptide-cargo-photosensitizer conjugates.

ABSTRACT: In many drug delivery strategies, an inefficient transfer of macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids to the cytosol often occurs because of their endosomal entrapment. One of the methods to overcome this problem is photochemical internalization, which is achieved using a photosensitizer and light to facilitate the endosomal escape of the macromolecule. In this study, we examined the molecular mechanism of photochemical internalization of cell penetrating peptide-cargo (macromolecule)-photosensitizer conjugates. We measured the photophysical properties of eight dyes (photosensitizer candidates) and determined the respective endosomal escape efficiencies using these dyes. Correlation plots between these factors indicated that the photogenerated (1)O2 molecules from photosensitizers

SUBMITTER: Ohtsuki T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4685267 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature