Abstract
Cyclotides combine the stability of disulfide-rich peptides with the intracellular accessibility of cell-penetrating peptides, giving them outstanding potential as drug scaffolds with an ability to inhibit intracellular protein-protein interactions. To realize and optimize the application of cyclotides as a drug framework and delivery system, we studied the ability of the prototypic cyclotide, kalata B1, to enter mammalian cells. We show that kalata B1 can enter cells via both endocytosis and direct membrane translocation. Both pathways are initiated by targeting phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipids at the cell surface and inducing membrane curvature. This unusual approach to initiate internalization might be harnessed to deliverdrugs into cells and, in particular, cancer cells, which present a higher proportion of surface-exposed phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipids. Our findings highlight the potential of these peptides as drug leadsfor the modulation of traditionally "undruggable" targets, such as intracellular protein-protein interactions.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
