Structural variety of membrane permeable peptides

Peptide-mediated protein delivery into living cells has been attracting our attention. Among the peptides that have been reported to have carrier activity, the one from the human immunodeficient virus (HIV)-1 Tat has been most often used for the introduction of exogenous macromolecules into cells. We have shown that not only the Tat peptide, but also various arginine-rich peptides showed very similar characteristics in translocation, and the possible presence of ubiquitous internalization mechanisms among the arginine-rich peptides has also been suggested. These arginine-rich peptides includes ones derived from HIV-1 Rev and flock house virus coat proteins. The linear- and branched-chain peptides containing approximately 8 residues of arginine also show a similar ability. In this review, we present the structural variety of membrane permeable peptides and provide a survey of the findings on the translocation of these peptides through the cell membranes.     

CXCR4 Stimulates Macropinocytosis: Implications for Cellular Uptake of Arginine-Rich Cell-Penetrating Peptides and HIV

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Highlights? CXCR4 was identified as a receptor to stimulate cellular uptake of R12 peptide ? Interaction with R12 stimulates internalization of CXCR4 via macropinocytosis ? SDF-1α and HIV-1 gp120 protein also induce macropinocytosis ? Macropinocytic uptake of HIV-1 diminished the infection of host cells     

The clinical evaluation of the serum SCC antigen levels with "SCC RIABEAD" by immunoradiometric assay

The clinical significance of serum SCC antigen level was evaluated by the monoclonal antibody method (SCC.RIABEAD Dinabot Co. Ltd). Patients with squamous cell carcinoma showed a high positive SCC antigen level and positive rate elevated with the advance of the clinical stage. The serum SCC antigen level was decreased by treatment, and it increased again before obvious clinical recurrence was recognized. The results suggest that measurement of serum SCC antigen level is useful as a follow up of cancer treatment.     

Radiation-Induced Solid-State Polymerization in Binary Systems. VI. Polymerization of Vinyl Compounds in the Supercooled Liquid Phase

Abstract

The radiation-induced polymerization of glass-forming systems containing vinyl monomers was investigated. Irradiation below the secondorder transition temperature (T_g) of the systems causes no in-source polymerization but does cause a very rapid postpolymerization in the course of heating above T_g. Differential thermal analysis was carried out to estimate T_g and to follow the postpolymerization.     

Gene Delivery into T-Cells Using Ternary Complexes of DNA,Lipofectamine, and Carboxy-Terminal Phenylalanine-Modified Dendrimers

T-cells play critical roles in various immune reactions, and genetically engineered T-cells have attracted attention for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Previously, it is shown that a polyamidoamine dendrimer of generation 4 (G4), modified with 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydride (CHex) and phenylalanine (Phe) (G4-CHex-Phe), is useful for delivery into T-cells and their subsets. In this study, an efficient non-viral gene delivery system is constructed using this dendrimer. Ternary complexes are prepared using different ratios of plasmid DNA, Lipofectamine, and G4-CHex-Phe. A carboxy-terminal dendrimer lacking Phe (G3.5) is used for comparison. These complexes are characterized using agarose gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering, and ζpotential measurements. In Jurkat cells, the ternary complex with G4-CHex-Phe at a P/COOH ratio of 1/5 shows higher transfection activity than other complexes, such as binary and ternary complexes with G3.5, without any significant cytotoxicity. The transfection efficiency of the G4-CHex-Phe ternary complexes decreases considerably in the presence of free G4-CHex-Phe and upon altering the complex preparation method. These results suggest that G4-CHex-Phe promotes the cellular internalization of the complexes, which is useful for gene delivery into T-cells.     

Lamellare Struktur von Poly(tetraoxan), das durch strahleninduzierte Polymerisation im Festzustand erhalten wurde

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Radiation-induced polymerization of tetraoxane in the solid state. II. Molecular weight distribution

In order to investigate the mechanism of the radiation-induced postpolymerization of tetraoxane in the solid state, the polymer was fractionated, and the fractions were characterized by reduced viscosity. The molecular weight of polymer formed in vacuo decreased drastically after the introduction of oxygen under conditions such that the polymer yield increased. The decrease in the molecular weight in the postpolymerization of tetraoxane is attributed to degradation of the polymer in the presence of oxygen. It is suggested that at least peroxides formed by preirradiation contribute to both the increase in polymer yield and the decrease in molecular weight of the polymer.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of Rhodamine B dye‐bearing poly(isobutyl methacrylate‐co‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate) as a temperature‐sensing polymer film

To develop a novel temperature‐sensitive paint, methacrylamide monomers bearing Rhodamine B dye (two regioisomers, 3a and 3b ) were synthesized and polymerized with isobutyl methacrylate and 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate to afford Rhodamine B‐pendant polymers 4a and 4b . The methacrylamide monomers 3a and 3b showed photophysical properties almost identical with those of Rhodamine B. The temperature sensitivity of the luminescence intensity of 3a and 3b was also similar to that of Rhodamine B. The polymers 4a and 4b have excellent solubility in nonpolar organic solvents and are suitable for application as paint. Films of polymers 4a and 4b showed temperature‐dependent luminescence, which is applicable for temperature‐sensing. The temperature sensitivity of the film of 4a was estimated to be ?0.37% °C^?1, and was independent of pressure. The film of 4b showed higher temperature sensitivity, but its temperature sensitivity was slightly pressure‐dependent. Hence, polymer 4a is expected to be superior for practical use in paints having temperature‐sensing functionality. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2876–2885, 2007