METHOD OF MONITORING CELLULAR TRAFFICKING OF PEPTIDES

摘要

ABSTRACT This disclosure provides a method of isolating peptides having cell-penetrating function, wherein the peptides are detected as biotinylated molecules only following their translocation through the cell membrane. The disclosure also provides methods for validating the cell-penetrating function of the peptides, or that may be employed in their own right to isolate such peptides, wherein the peptides are detectable by virtue of their ability to transport a detectable cargo into the cytoplasm, such as a cargo toxin or a fragment of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) that is required for complementation of a functional GFP. The disclosure also provides non-canonical peptides having cell-penetrating function that differ structurally from known CPPs such as TAT, VP22, transportan and penetratin, and that are capable of translocating cell membranes and escaping the endosome. The disclosed peptides have utility in transporting cargo therapeutics and diagnostics into cells.