(RFR)4XB – Cell Penetrating Peptides – CPP

Cell penetrating peptide with a repeating motif of cationic-nonpolar-cationic (C-N-C) residues, such repeating motifs are important features of membrane-penetrating peptides. This peptide is able to enhance the efficacy and uptake of peptide phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PPMOs) into bacterial cells. PPMOs are synthetic DNA mimics that bind cRNA and inhibit bacterial gene expression, however these antisense oligomers need help crossing the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria due to their molecular weight and polar characteristics. Cell penetrating peptide such as this, when attached to antisense oligomers can improve their entry into Gram-negative bacteria and increased their potency by orders of magnitude.