Development of synthetic cationic helical polypeptides used as anticancer or antibacterial agents

Abstract

Cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) contains less than 30 amino acid residues and can penetrate through cellular membranes. Over the past few years, CPP was researched to be used as a delivery unit to effectively translocate genetic substance, small drug molecule, or protein fragment. Herein, we have developed synthetic cationic helical polypeptides based on the idea of CPP. Hydrophilic and basic lysine amino acid residue composes the backbone of the polypeptide to endow membrane destabilizing property by strongly adhering to a net negatively charged cellular membrane of cancer cells or bacterial cells. Once the polypeptide enters the membrane, it would initiate growth inhibition or apoptotic cell death. Artificially synthesized helical polypeptide can be used as a promising tool to treat cancer or bacterial infection in the future.