Synergy between cell-penetrating peptides and singlet oxygen generators leads to efficient photolysis of membranes.

Cell-penetrating peptides such as TAT or R9 labeled with small organic fluorophores can lyse endosomes upon light irradiation. The photoendosomolytic activity of these compounds can in turn be used to deliver proteins and nucleic acids to the cytosol of live cells with spatial and temporal control. In this report, we examine the mechanisms by which such fluorescent peptides exert a photolytic activity using red blood cells as a membrane model. We show that the peptides TAT and R9 labeled with tetramethylrhodamine photolyze red blood cells by promoting the formation of singlet oxygen in the vicinity of the cells' membranes. In addition, unlabeled TAT and R9 accelerate the photolytic activity of the membrane-bound photosensitizer Rose bengal in trans, suggesting that the cell-penetrating peptides participate in the destabilization of photo-oxidized membranes. Peptides and singlet oxygen generators therefore act in synergy to destroy membranes upon irradiation.

A novel cell-penetrating peptide TAT-A1 delivers siRNA into tumor cells selectively.

siRNA is promising in anti-tumor therapy. The main challenge is lack of tumor-specific intracellular delivery. In this study, a 6 amino acids peptide (A1) with high affinity for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR1) was conjugated with a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) TAT to form a tumor-selective CPP. To evaluate the tumor-targeted penetrate property of TAT-A1, the uptake of TAT-A1 was measured by flow cytometry. The selectivity in vitro was tested in co-cultured tumor cells and normal cells by laser confocal microscope. The internalization efficiency of TAT-A1 was significantly higher than that of TAT (p < 0.05). TAT-A1 penetrated into tumor cells selectively when added to co-cultured tumor cells and normal cells due to the recognition of VEGFR1 which is over-expressed on tumor cells. Furthermore, siRNA was successfully transferred by TAT-A1 into tumor cells in a similar way of Lipofectamine 2000, which was proved to be an efficient vector. The knockout effect of siRNA transferred by TAT-A1 was obtained at both mRNA and protein level. These results indicated that the tumor-targeted TAT-A1 can act as an excellent vehicle for specific delivery of anti-cancer agents.

A facile transformation of amino acids to functionalized coumarins.

The synthesis of novel chiral coumarins functionalized with proteinogenic amino acid side chains via N-protected γ-amino-ß-keto esters and their incorporation into the cell permeable HIV-1 TAT peptide through the modified solid phase peptide synthesis are described.

Endocytosis and membrane potential are required for HeLa cell uptake of R.I.-CKTat9, a retro-inverso Tat cell penetrating peptide.

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can enter many types of cells and have become useful tools for introducing a variety of cargo such as exogenous peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids into cultured cells in vitro. Tat CPPs derived from the HIV-1 Tat protein are the most widely used among the arginine-rich CPPs. Even though CPPs hold considerable promise for drug delivery, poor biological stability and high in vivo clearance may limit their effectiveness for delivering cargo. Therefore, we utilize a retro-inverso form of a Tat peptide, R.I.-CKTat9, which is proteolytically stable. In the current study, the cellular entry mechanism of this arginine-rich CPP is investigated. Fluorescently labeled R.I.-CKTat9 entered HeLa cells in a concentration- and energy-dependent manner demonstrating both diffuse and punctate (vesicular) appearance inside the cells. The labeled R.I.-CKTat9 colocalized with labeled transferrin in the punctate structure, suggesting that the peptide enters HeLa cells by clathrin-dependent endocytosis. Incubation of cells with an isotonic/high K(+) buffer (KPBS) or an NH(4)Cl solution abolished the diffuse but not the punctate fluorescence, suggesting that membrane potential plays a critical role. This result also suggests that the flux originates from the endosome, not the extracellular space, and relies on the acidity of the endosome. Impairment of clathrin-mediated endocytosis by RNAi with clathrin heavy chain function and endocytosis inhibitors greatly reduced or completely abolished both diffuse and punctate fluorescence, further supporting a single route of endocytosis and subsequent endosomal escape. Since cells in the mitotic (M) phase shut down endocytosis but maintain plasma membrane potential, this property was used to further confirm the endocytic mechanism. Direct measurement of plasma membrane potential confirmed its persistence in M phase arrested HeLa cells. Consistent with our working hypothesis, these cells did not show any vesicular nor diffuse fluorescence of labeled R.I.-CKTat9, providing compelling evidence for the sequential steps of endocytosis and endosomal escape. Binding of labeled R.I.-CKTat9 to the surface of HeLa cells at 0 degrees C was reduced under the mildly acidic conditions of early endosomes, suggesting an acidity-dependent endosomal escape mechanism. Overall, these results indicate that both endocytosis and membrane potential are required for R.I.-CKTat9 entry into HeLa cells and suggest that translocation occurs at the endosomal membrane.

Inhibition of inflammation by a p38 MAP kinase targeted cell permeable peptide.

p38 MAPK has been the key therapeutic target for multiple inflammation diseases. However, the clinical applications of p38 inhibitors, most of which target on the ATP binding groove in the kinase, have been held back, largely because of their limited specificity and severe side-effects. An alternative strategy to generate highly selective p38 inhibitor is to block the specific interaction in the p38 signal pathway. Based on the hypothesis that specific binding peptides targeting on the docking groove would interfere the intrinsic interaction between p38 and its partners, we have designed a fusion peptide containing 12aa p38 docking sequence derived from MKK3b and 11aa HIV-TAT transmembrane sequence to form a cell permeable peptide. The peptide specifically binds to p38, and aborts its interaction with upstream kinase as well as downstream substrates, and thus to inhibit p38 phosphorylation and its signaling. Furthermore, the induction and secretion of TNFalpha and other inflammatory factors by LPS are blocked in peptide treated cells and mice. Finally the peptide has been shown to significantly inhibit ear oedema in mice. Therefore, the peptide holds great potential as an anti-inflammation agent for the treatment of inflammation and its related diseases.

Using peptides to study the interaction between the p53 tetramerization domain and HIV-1 Tat.

Peptides are valuable tools for studying protein-protein interactions, especially in cases of isolated protein domains and natively unfolded proteins. Here, we used peptides to quantitatively characterize the interaction between the natively unfolded HIV-1 Tat protein and the tetramerization domain of the cellular tumor suppressor protein p53. We used peptide mapping, fluorescence anisotropy, and NMR spectroscopy to perform a detailed structural and biophysical characterization of the interaction between the two proteins and elucidate its molecular mechanism, which have so far been studied using cell-based methods. We show that the p53 tetramerization domain, p53(326-355), binds directly to residues 1-35 and 47-57 in Tat. We have characterized the interaction between p53(326-355) and Tat(47-57) in detail. The p53 residues that are mainly involved in binding to Tat(47-57) are E343 and E349, which bind to the positively charged arginine-rich motif of Tat by a partly electrostatic mechanism. All oligomerization states of p53(326-355) bind Tat(47-57) without inhibiting p53 tetramerization, since the residues in p53(326-355) that bind Tat(47-57) face away from the tetramerization interface. We conclude that p53 is able to bind Tat as a transcriptionally active tetramer.

Modulation of nuclear internalization of Tat peptides by fluorescent dyes and receptor-avid peptides.

The nuclear internalization of biomolecules by Tat peptide provides a mechanism to deliver drugs to cells. However, translocation of molecular imaging probes to the nucleus may induce undesirable mutagenesis. To assess the feasibility of retaining its cell permeating effect without nuclear translocation, Tat-peptide was conjugated with a somatostatin receptor (STR)-avid ligand (Oct) and labeled with fluorescent dyes. The results show that Tat-Oct-5-FAM (fluorescein 5'-carboxylic acid) remained in the cytoplasm of STR-positive AR42J cells. Co-incubation of Tat-Oct-5-FAM with ATP induced nuclear translocation. These data suggest that both dye and Oct-STR endocytosis complex could modulate nuclear internalization of Tat peptides.

Identification of HIV-1 Tat peptides for future therapeutic angiogenesis.

Therapeutic angiogenesis represents a novel approach to treat critical limb ischemia when revascularization is no more an option. The clinical use of the vascular endothelial growth factor is questioned, because of its side effects. This study was designed to identify and characterize human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat-derived peptides based on their pro-angiogenic properties. A series of Tat-derived peptides were synthesized containing mutations in the basic domain. To minimize side effects Tat peptides were selected exerting no effects on the proteasome and on the viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Tatpep5, 15, and 16 increased the endogenous levels of the pro-angiogenic transcription factors c-Jun and SP-1 as well as the production of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) by HUVEC. A significant induction of endothelial cell invasion was observed upon treatment of HUVEC with Tat peptides. In addition, selected Tat peptides induced tube formation by HUVEC as visualized and quantified in a Matrigel matrix. Our data demonstrate that the selected Tat peptides fulfill essential criteria for pro-angiogenic substances. They represent the basis for the development of novel pro-angiogenic drugs for future therapeutic angiogenesis, which might be applied for treatment of unreconstructible critical limb ischemia.

Design and synthesis of a Tat-related gene transporter: a tool for carrying the adenovirus vector into cells.

A Tat-related peptide, acetyl-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-Pro-Pro-Gln-Gly-Cys amide, designed to transport an Adenovirus vector (Ad) into cells, was synthesized. The synthetic peptide was conjugated to Ad, which potentially can act as an efficient carrier of heterologous genes into cells. The Tat-related peptide was synthesized using the solid phase method and then was coupled to the heterofunctional cross-linking reagent, 6-maleimidohexanoic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. The resulting peptide-succinimidohexanoic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester was conjugated to Ad containing the luciferase gene. B16BL6 cells infected with the peptide-conjugated Ad luciferase gene construct exhibit a 50-fold greater luciferase activity than B16BL6 cells infected with wild-type Ad containing the luciferase gene.

Macro-branched cell-penetrating peptide design for gene delivery.

Many kinds of macromolecular compounds that comprise a series of branches around an inner core have been made and showed some promises as DNA- and drug-delivery systems. In this study, a method for peptide polymer design having macro-branched peptide structure was adapted and it was applied for plasmid DNA delivery for the first time; acryloyl chloride was used by introducing the double bond into the N-terminal of HIV-1 tat (47-57, YGRKKRRQRRR). After being cleaved from resin, it was transformed to a polymer which possesses a poly-propionyl core matrix with tat branches and was named polytat by radical polymerization. After further separation and purification by Sephadex G150, polytat P1, polytat P2 and polytat P3 were acquired and the average molecular weight of the different macromolecules are 240, 178 and 82 kDa. We found that all these compounds complexed with plasmid DNA and showed significant transfection capabilities in a variety of mammalian cell lines, but acrylyl-tat or tat alone showed no significant transfection capability. Further study showed that polytat could be applied for plasmid DNA delivery for cell lines even with serum by endocytosis-mediated pathways.

Cationic TAT peptide transduction domain enters cells by macropinocytosis.

Naturally occurring and synthetic short arginine containing protein transduction domains (PTDs), including HIV1 TAT, poly-Arg and Antp, have been used to deliver a wide variety of macromolecular, biologically active therapeutic cargo into cells, including peptides, proteins, antisense oligonucleotides and liposomes, in vitro and to treat pre-clinical models of cancer and stroke. PTDs enter cells in a rapid, receptor-independent fashion. Recently, large TAT-fusion proteins (in excess of 30,000 Da) were shown to transduce into cells by fluid-phase macropinocytosis, a specialized form of endocytosis that is independent of caveolae, clathrin and dynamin. However, it remains controversial as to whether or not PTD peptides (1000-5000 Da) enter cells via macropinocytosis and/or through an unknown alternative mechanism. Due to strong ionic interactions with the cell surface, previous measurements of PTD peptide internalization were inaccurate. Cationic PTD peptides containing variable numbers of arginine residues and conditions entered cells exclusively through macropinocytosis. In addition, no PTD peptide was found to enter cells at 4 degrees C, a long held assumption of transduction. Taken together, these observations provide a solid scientific basis for the development of novel biologically active transducible anticancer PTD peptide therapeutics.

A comparative binding study of modified bovine immunodeficiency virus TAR RNA against its TAT peptide.

Besides generating novel binding peptides or small molecules to their RNA target, successful design of chemically modified RNA constructs capable of tighter binding with their binding peptides is also of significant importance. Herein, the synthesis and binding studies of a series of both wt and mutant bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) TAR RNA constructs against its Tat peptide are reported. Understanding the requirements that enable RNA construct binding properties, especially at the hairpin loop or internal bulge, would afford potential therapeutic approaches to control the BIV life cycle.

Full-length HIV-1 Tat protein necessary for a vaccine.

AIDS vaccines now use a truncated version of 86 residues of the Tat protein related to the HIV-1 HXB2 strain predominant in Europe and North America. We compared antibodies raised in rabbits using a B subtype short Tat HXB2(86) and a full-length Tat HXB2(100). Serum against HXB2(86) recognizes only B and D subtypes while serum against HXB2(100) recognizes B, D, and C subtype variants. Conformational epitopes appear to be involved in the capacity of anti-Tat HXB2 sera to recognized non-homologous Tat variants. A linear B-epitope identified in sequence 71-81 in HXB2(86) disappears in HXB2(100), which has a new linear B-epitope identified at the C-terminus. Anti-HXB2(100) serum has a higher titer in neutralizing antibody against homologous and non-homologous variants compared to anti-HXB2(86) serum. We suggest that a Tat vaccine should contain a Tat variant with regular size, up to 99-101 residues now found in the field.

The glutamine-rich region of the HIV-1 Tat protein is involved in T-cell apoptosis.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the progression to AIDS are characterized by the depletion of CD4(+) T-cells. HIV-1 infection leads to apoptosis of uninfected bystander cells and the direct killing of HIV-infected cells. This is mediated, in part, by the HIV-1 Tat protein, which is secreted by virally infected cells and taken up by uninfected cells. We chemically synthesized two 86-residue subtype D Tat proteins, Ug05RP and Ug11LTS, from two Ugandan patients who were clinically categorized as either rapid progressor or long-term survivor, with non-conservative mutations located essentially in the glutamine-rich region. Structural heterogeneities were revealed by CD, which translate into differing trans-activational and apoptotic effects. CD data analysis and molecular modeling indicated that the short alpha-helix observed in subtype D Tat proteins from rapid progressor patients such as Tat Mal and Tat Ug05RP is not present in Ug11LTS. We show that Tat Ug05RP is more efficient than Tat Ug11LTS in its trans-activational role and in inducing apoptosis in binding tubulin via the mitochondrial pathway. The glutamine-rich region of Tat appears to be involved in the Tat-mediated apoptosis of T-cells.

Cell-penetrating peptides do not cross mitochondrial membranes even when conjugated to a lipophilic cation: evidence against direct passage through phospholipid bilayers.

CPPs (cell-penetrating peptides) facilitate the cellular uptake of covalently attached oligonucleotides, proteins and other macromolecules, but the mechanism of their uptake is disputed. Two models are proposed: direct movement through the phospholipid bilayer and endocytic uptake. Mitochondria are a good model system to distinguish between these possibilities, since they have no vesicular transport systems. Furthermore, CPP-mediated delivery of macromolecules to the mitochondrial matrix would be a significant breakthrough in the study of mitochondrial function and dysfunction, and could also lead to new therapies for diseases caused by mitochondrial damage. Therefore we investigated whether two CPPs, penetratin and Tat, could act as mitochondrial delivery vectors. We also determined whether conjugation of the lipophilic cation TPP (triphenylphosphonium) to penetratin or Tat facilitated their uptake into mitochondria, since TPP leads to uptake of attached molecules into mitochondria driven by the membrane potential. Neither penetratin nor Tat, nor their TPP conjugates, are internalized by isolated mitochondria, indicating that these CPPs cannot cross mitochondrial phospholipid bilayers. Tat and TPP-Tat are taken up by cells, but they accumulate in endosomes and do not reach mitochondria. We conclude that CPPs cannot cross mitochondrial phospholipid bilayers, and therefore cannot deliver macromolecules directly to mitochondria. Our findings shed light on the mechanism of uptake of CPPs by cells. The lack of direct movement of CPPs through mitochondrial phospholipid bilayers, along with the observed endosomal accumulation of Tat and TPP-Tat in cells, makes it unlikely that CPPs enter cells by direct membrane passage, and instead favours cellular uptake via an endocytic pathway.

Uptake and metabolism of a dual fluorochrome Tat-nanoparticle in HeLa cells.

The ability to use magnetic nanoparticles for cell tracking, or for the delivery of nanoparticle-based therapeutic agents, requires a detailed understanding of probe metabolism and transport. Here we report on the development and metabolism of a dual fluorochrome version of our tat-CLIO nanoparticle termed Tat(FITC)-Cy3.5-CLIO. The nanoparticle features an FITC label on the tat peptide and a Cy3.5 dye directly attached to the cross-linked coating of dextran. This nanoparticle was rapidly internalized by HeLa cells, labeling 100% of cells in 45 min, with the amount of label per cell increasing linearly with time up to 3 h. Cells loaded with nanoparticles for 1 h retained 40-60% of their FITC and Cy3.5 labels over a period of 72 h in label-free media. Over a period of 144 h, or approximately 3.5 cell divisions, the T2 spin-spin relaxation time of cells was not significantly changed, indicating retention of the iron oxide among the dividing cell population. Using confocal microscopy and unfixed cells, both dyes were nuclear and perinuclear (broadly cytoplasmic) after Tat(FITC)-Cy3.5-CLIO labeling. Implications of the rapid labeling and slow excretion of the Tat(FITC)-Cy3.5-CLIO nanoparticle are discussed for cell tracking and drug delivery applications.

Electrostatic binding with tat and other cationic peptides increases cell accumulation of 99mTc-antisense DNAs without entrapment.

UNLABELLED: An important limitation restricting antisense nuclear medicine imaging is low radioactivity accumulations in target cells. The Tat peptide (Tat), a basic domain of the HIV Tat protein, has been shown to enhance cell accumulation of various biomolecules. PURPOSE: The influence of Tat, as a cationic carrier, on the accumulation in cell culture of anionic antisense DNAs bound electrostatically rather than covalently was investigated. To establish specificity of the accumulation, antisense DNA and control sequence were studied along with four different peptides. The technique of in situ reverse transcription was used to assay the in vivo hybridization of antisense DNA to the target mRNA in cultured live cells when transducted with the Tat peptide. METHODS: Uniform phosphorothioated DNAs were radiolabeled with 99mTc via Hynic/tricine. This 18 mer antisense DNA against RI alpha mRNA along with its sense and random control was studied in ACHN cells with the four peptides as carriers. RESULTS: The addition of Tat significantly increased cell accumulations. At 12 hours accumulations went from 14% to 45% for the antisense DNA and from 4% to 12% for control. Furthermore, an antisense effect was again suggested, now with the Tat carrier, by the significantly higher accumulation of 99mTc on both antisense DNAs vs. controls. Moreover, the accumulated antisense DNA enhanced with the Tat carrier was capable of priming reverse transcription as determined by an in situ assay suggesting that the DNA could escape from entrapment in endosome or lysosome vesicles for hybridization. However, differences in cellular accumulation with either Tat compared to either scrambled peptide were not significant, showing that the Tat in this study was functioning merely as a cationic carrier. CONCLUSIONS: Although electrostatic binding of antisense DNA to Tat is convenient, the association may mask the unique transduction properties of the peptide. Nevertheless, a promising improvement in cellular accumulation of antisense DNA was observed through the use of these carriers. In addition, at least a fraction of the transducted DNA appears to be free of entrapment to hybridize to its mRNA target in live cells.

Synthesis and characterization of a Gd-DOTA-D-permeation peptide for magnetic resonance relaxation enhancement of intracellular targets.

Many MR contrast agents have been developed and proven effective for extracellular nontargeted applications, but exploitation of intracellular MR contrast agents has been elusive due to the permeability barrier of the plasma membrane. Peptide transduction domains can circumvent this permeability barrier and deliver cargo molecules to the cell interior. Based upon enhanced cellular uptake of permeation peptides with D-amino acid residues, an all-D Tat basic domain peptide was conjugated to DOTA and chelated to gadolinium. Gd-DOTA-D-Tat peptide in serum at room temperature showed a relaxivity of 7.94 +/- 0.11 mM(-1) sec(-1) at 4.7 T. The peptide complex displayed no significant binding to serum proteins, was efficiently internalized by human Jurkat leukemia cells resulting in intracellular T1 relaxation enhancement, and in preliminary T1-weighted MRI experiments, significantly enhanced liver, kidney, and mesenteric signals.

Characterization of novel histidine-tagged Tat-peptide complexes dual-labeled with (99m)Tc-tricarbonyl and fluorescein for scintigraphy and fluorescence microscopy.

To enable concurrent whole body scintigraphy and direct imaging of subcellular localization of permeation peptides, dual-labeled Tat-peptides useful for both radiometric analysis and fluorescence microscopy are desired for molecular imaging applications. Thus, novel dual-labeled D-Tat-peptides comprising Tat-basic domain (hgrkkrrqrrrgc), C-terminus conjugated with fluorescein-5-maleimide (FM) and N-terminus chelated with [(99m)Tc(CO)(3)] via histidine coordination, were synthesized and characterized. In human Jurkat cells, radiotracer uptake and washout studies revealed concentration-dependent accumulation of the dual-labeled Tat-peptide within cells. Subcellular localization of Tat-peptide was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy using an analogous [Re(CO)(3)] dual-labeled Tat-peptide. As seen with C-terminus single-labeled Tat-peptides, localization to the nucleoli was observed with the dual-labeled Tat-peptide, suggesting that the mechanism of Tat-peptide uptake and localization was not dependent on free peptide termini at either end. In Balb/c mice, biodistribution studies performed with the dual-labeled Tat-peptide showed fluorescence intensity by microscopic analysis that visually confirmed and correlated directly with scintigraphic and radiometric data. Of note, following intravenous administration, little brain penetration of these permeation sequences was observed in vivo. His[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)]-, DTPA[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)]-, and epsilon-lys-gly-cys[(99m)Tc(O)]-labeled Tat-peptides showed significant pharmacokinetic differences in liver and kidney depending on labeling strategy, indicating that Tat-peptide biodistribution can be impacted by the chelation moiety coordinated with (99m)Tc. Thus, we have shown that dual-labeled (99m)Tc-tricarbonyl Tat-peptide-FM conjugates can be conveniently synthesized and enable direct comparison of quantitative radiometric and qualitative fluorescence data both in vitro as well as in vivo.

Translocation of branched-chain arginine peptides through cell membranes: flexibility in the spatial disposition of positive charges in membrane-permeable peptides.

A basic peptide derived from HIV-1 Tat has been reported to have the ability to translocate through cell membranes and to bring exogenous proteins into cells. We have demonstrated that these features could be observed among many arginine-rich peptides, and the presence of a ubiquitous internalization mechanism for arginine-rich oligopeptides has been suggested. In this report, we report that these features are also applicable to the peptides having branched-chain structures. Peptides that have arginine residues on four branched chains (R(n))(4) [n (number of arginine residues)= 0-6] were prepared. Fluorescence microscopic observation revealed that the (R(2))(4) peptide exhibited the most efficient translocation. The dependence on the number of arginine residues of the translocation efficiency and cellular localization was also observed for the branched-chain peptides as was seen in the linear peptides. Quite interestingly, efficient translocation was also recognized in the (RG(3)R)(4) peptide, where three glycine residues intervened between two arginine residues on each chain of (R(2))(4). The results strongly suggested that a linear structure was not indispensable for the translocation of arginine-rich peptides and that there could be considerable flexibility in the location of the arginine residue in the molecules.