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Cover Picture: A Helix‐Stabilized Cell‐Penetrating Peptide as an Intracellular Delivery Tool (ChemBioChem 2/2016)
Author(s) -
Yamashita Hiroko,
Oba Makoto,
Misawa Takashi,
Tanaka Masakazu,
Hattori Takayuki,
Naito Mikihiko,
Kurihara Masaaki,
Demizu Yosuke
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chembiochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1439-7633
pISSN - 1439-4227
DOI - 10.1002/cbic.201500677
Subject(s) - cell penetrating peptide , helix (gastropod) , peptide , intracellular , moiety , chemistry , biophysics , cationic polymerization , dna , cell , biochemistry , stereochemistry , biology , polymer chemistry , ecology , snail
The cover picture shows a novel helix‐stabilized, cell‐penetrating peptide. There are a lot of “helices”, like the ladies’ tresses shown in the background image, that exist in nature and even in our bodies, such as micro helices (DNA, proteins, etc.), which are present as ubiquitous molecules. Such helices play important roles in constructing and preserving living systems. The authors have designed a cationic α,α‐disubstituted amino acid (dAA) with a side‐chain guanidino moiety and developed a helix‐stabilized cationic peptide containing dAA residues that has cell‐membrane‐penetrating ability. The peptide formed a stable helical structure under physiological conditions, and entered efficiently into both adhesive and nonadhesive cells. Moreover, the peptide delivered plasmid DNA into various types of cells in a highly efficient manner, particularly compared to its nonhelical counterpart. This provides insight into the development of intracellular delivery systems. More information can be found in the communication by M. Kurihara, Y. Demizu et al. on page 132 in Issue 2, 2016 (DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500468).