Endocytosis-promoting peptides
what are endocytosis-promoting peptides
We discovered a panel of hydrophilic peptides that can promote endocytosis, thereby delivering cargo molecules into cells. We name them endocytosis-promoting peptides (EPPs).
Contrary to conventional cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), our EPPs have no positive charge.
A radioactive isotope-labeled EPP is shown on the right.
EPP delivers cargo molecules to cells
We can use EPPs to deliver a wide panel of cargo molecules into a large collection of animal cells.
EPP enables transcytosis and GI-absorption
Representative whole-body PET imaging of nude mice at 15, 30, and 60 min after oral gavage of 18F-EPP6.
Cells take up EPPs via FIBCD1-mediated endocytosis, and some of the cargo molecules are exported through exocytosis. In some polarized cells (such as those in the GI lining), this process can bring cargo molecules to blood circulation.
We envision that this property can have immediate and profound therapeutic applications.