SMAC/DIABLO -TAT (48-60)-[Lys] – TAT Conjugated Peptides

SMAC/DIABLO -TAT (48-60)-[Lys] is a pro-apoptotic peptide that is derived from the mitochondrial protein known either as Second Mitochondria-Derived Activator of Caspases (Smac) or Direct IAP Binding Protein with low isoelectric point, pI (DIABLO). During apoptosis the mitochondria has increased permeability to Smac/DIABLO, which causes the protein to diffuse into the cytosol. Here, Smac/DIABLO adheres to Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) and prevents them from binding to caspases, which in turn accentuates apoptosis. TAT (48-60) is present due to its properties as a cell penetrating cationic peptide (CPP). It derived from the N-terminus of the Tat protein, which is a trans-activator of the transcription protein present in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As a CPP, TAT (48-60) is able facilitate the delivery of the Beclin scrambled protein across the plasma membrane. This peptide has an additional lysine attached to the C-terminus of the TAT (48-60) sequence.