Peptide-Grafted Polymers as Artificial Converter of Cellular Signals

Abstract

Abstract Intracellular signal transduction systems consisting of sophisticated molecular networks are essential to provide almost all cellular functions. Any abnormal activation of enzymes included in this network can be directly linked to various disease states. Therefore, cellular function can be altered if we can modulate this signal transduction process. In this context, artificial signal converters, which respond to particular abnormal signaling to activate transgene transcription, are introduced. Such molecular systems use polymer materials grafted with cationic peptides, which are a specific substrate of target protein kinase or protease. This concept which is called D-RECS, DDS in response to cellular signals, could have potential for design of disease cell specific therapeutic or diagnostic (imaging) systems using pathological signaling as a target. Molecular design and structural factors affecting signal response in such systems are discussed.