Modulation of mitochondrial activity in HaCaT keratinocytes by the cell penetrating peptide Z-Gly-RGD(DPhe)-mitoparan

Biomedical applications of synthetic peptides derived from venom of animal origin: A systematic review

Development of therapeutic agents that have fewer adverse effects and have higher efficacy for diseases, such as cancer, metabolic disorders, neurological diseases, infections, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases, are required. Recent studies have focused on identifying novel sources for pharmaceutical molecules to develop therapies against these diseases. Among the sources for potentially new therapies, animal venom-derived molecules have generated much interest. Various animal venom-derived proteins and peptides have been isolated, identified, synthesized, and tested to develop drugs. Venom-derived peptides have several biomedical properties, such as proapoptotic, cell migration, and autophagy regulation activities in cancer cell models; induction of vasodilation by nitric oxide and regulation of angiotensin II; modification of insulin response by controlling calcium and potassium channels; regulation of pain receptor activity; modulation of immune cell activity; alteration of motor neuron activity; degradation or inhibition of β-amyloid plaque formation; antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiprotozoal activities; increase in sperm motility and potentiation of erectile function; reduction of intraocular pressure; anticoagulation, fibrinolytic, and antithrombotic activities; etc. This systematic review compiles these biomedical properties and potential biomedical applications of synthesized animal venom-derived peptides reported in the latest research. In addition, the limitations and areas of opportunity in this research field are discussed so that new studies can be developed based on the data presented.

A cell transmembrane peptide chimeric M(27-39)-HTPP targeted therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor, with a growing incidence and death rate worldwide. The aims and challenges of treating HCC include targeting the tumor, entering the tumor tissue, inhibiting the spread and growth of tumor cells. M27-39 is a small peptide isolated from the antimicrobial peptide Musca domestica cecropin (MDC), whereas HTPP is a liver-targeting, cell-penetrating peptide obtained from the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium parasites. In this study, M27-39 was modified by HTPP to form M(27-39)-HTPP, which targeted tumor penetration to treat HCC. Here, we revealed that M(27-39)-HTPP had a good ability to target and penetrate the tumor, effectively limit the proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induce the apoptosis in HCC. Notably, M(27-39)-HTPP demonstrated good biosecurity when administered at therapeutic doses. Accordingly, M(27-39)-HTPP could be used as a new, safe, and efficient therapeutic peptide for HCC.

An update on cell-penetrating peptides with intracellular organelle targeting

INTRODUCTION

Cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) technologies represent an important strategy to address drug delivery to specific intracellular compartments by covalent conjugation to targeting sequences, potentially enabling strategies to combat most diseases.

AREAS COVERED

This updated review article provides an overview of current intracellular organelle targeting by CPP. The targeting strategies of CPP and CPP/cargo complexes to specific cells or intracellular organelles are summarized, and the review provides an update on the current data for their pharmacological and therapeutical applications.

EXPERT OPINION

Targeted drug delivery is moving from the level of tissue or specific pathogenic cell to the level of specific organelle that is the target of the drug, an important aspect in drug design and development. Organelle-targeted drug delivery results in improved efficacy, ability to control mode of action, reduction of undesired toxicities and side effects, and possibility to overcome drug resistance mechanisms.

Cell-Penetrating Peptides Derived from Animal Venoms and Toxins

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) comprise a class of short polypeptides that possess the ability to selectively interact with the cytoplasmic membrane of certain cell types, translocate across plasma membranes and accumulate in the cell cytoplasm, organelles (e.g., the nucleus and mitochondria) and other subcellular compartments. CPPs are either of natural origin or de novo designed and synthesized from segments and patches of larger proteins or designed by algorithms. With such intrinsic properties, along with membrane permeation, translocation and cellular uptake properties, CPPs can intracellularly convey diverse substances and nanomaterials, such as hydrophilic organic compounds and drugs, macromolecules (nucleic acids and proteins), nanoparticles (nanocrystals and polyplexes), metals and radionuclides, which can be covalently attached via CPP N- and C-terminals or through preparation of CPP complexes. A cumulative number of studies on animal toxins, primarily isolated from the venom of arthropods and snakes, have revealed the cell-penetrating activities of venom peptides and toxins, which can be harnessed for application in biomedicine and pharmaceutical biotechnology. In this review, I aimed to collate examples of peptides from animal venoms and toxic secretions that possess the ability to penetrate diverse types of cells. These venom CPPs have been chemically or structurally modified to enhance cell selectivity, bioavailability and a range of target applications. Herein, examples are listed and discussed, including cysteine-stabilized and linear, α-helical peptides, with cationic and amphipathic character, from the venom of insects (e.g., melittin, anoplin, mastoparans), arachnids (latarcin, lycosin, chlorotoxin, maurocalcine/imperatoxin homologs and wasabi receptor toxin), fish (pardaxins), amphibian (bombesin) and snakes (crotamine and cathelicidins).

Sweet as honey, bitter as bile: Mitochondriotoxic peptides and other therapeutic proteins isolated from animal tissues, for dealing with mitochondrial apoptosis

Mitochondria are subcellular organelles involved in cell metabolism and cell life-cycle. Their role in apoptosis regulation makes them an interesting target of new drugs for dealing with cancer or rare diseases. Several peptides and proteins isolated from animal and plant sources are known for their therapeutic properties and have been tested on cancer cell-lines and xenograft murine models, highlighting their ability in inducing cell-death by triggering mitochondrial apoptosis. Some of those molecules have been even approved as drugs. Conversely, many other bioactive compounds are still under investigation for their proapoptotic properties. In this review we report about a group of peptides, isolated from animal venoms, with potential therapeutic properties related to their ability in triggering mitochondrial apoptosis. This class of compounds is known with different names, such as mitochondriotoxins or mitocans.

Dithranol: An Insight into its Novel Delivery Cargos for Psoriasis Management

OBJECTIVE

Dithranol (DTH) is a well-known moiety that has long been used promisingly to impede and treat skin disorders, particularly psoriasis. Nowadays, a rekindled interest in the use of DTH for this disorder has been observed. Side effects associated with conventional topical formulations of this moiety have aroused the interest of the scientific community in investigating novel cargos of DTH for psoriasis management.

RESULTS

Previous research has evidenced the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferating potential of DTH. Numerous studies have indicated that DTH inhibits polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocyte, modulates epidermal cell receptors and promotes anti-psoriatic action. However, some deterrent factors like poor solubility, stability, toxicity, staining and skin irritation hamper its use as a potential therapeutic agent. With the adoption of novel drug delivery technologies, the above mentioned inherent limitations of DTH have been compensated to reestablish this drug moiety.

CONCLUSION

This article reviews novel drug delivery aspects, safety concerns, clinical evidence, current status, and future opportunities of DTH in the management of psoriasis. Further, it will update researchers on this promising drug moiety, which is free from systemic adverse responses in comparison to other therapeutic molecules like steroids, for psoriasis treatment.

Combination of Cell-Penetrating Peptides with Nanoparticles for Therapeutic Application: A Review

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), also known as protein translocation domains, membrane translocating sequences or Trojan peptides, are small molecules of 6 to 30 amino acid residues capable of penetrating biological barriers and cellular membranes. Furthermore, CPP have become an alternative strategy to overcome some of the current drug limitations and combat resistant strains since CPPs are capable of delivering different therapeutic molecules against a wide range of diseases. In this review, we address the recent conjugation of CPPs with nanoparticles, which constitutes a new class of delivery vectors with high pharmaceutical potential in a variety of diseases.