Biodistribution of intracellularly acting peptides conjugated reversibly to Tat

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Jun 11;318(4):949-54. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.04.121.

Abstract

Intracellularly acting peptide modulators of signaling enzymes provide a powerful means to regulate signaling events. Delivery of peptides into cells is facilitated by conjugation to carrier peptides, such as Tat. When peptides are irreversibly conjugated to Tat, Tat-mediated subcellular localization may predominate, resulting in mislocalization of the peptide cargo. We have used intracellularly acting peptides, conjugated to Tat by a disulfide bond, to modulate protein kinase C (PKC) signaling; these PKC-modulating peptides are released from Tat upon intracellular delivery. Previously, the distribution of these peptides within tissue and throughout the body had not been demonstrated. We show here intravascular delivery of a PKC-peptide, reversibly conjugated to Tat, resulted in distribution throughout cardiac tissue. In addition, a single injection resulted in selective modulation of PKC activity in many organs. Therefore, intracellularly acting peptide modulators of signaling enzymes, reversibly conjugated to Tat, have extensive biodistribution and can be used to modulate signaling pathways in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Biological Transport
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / analogs & derivatives
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / metabolism
  • Gene Products, tat / chemistry
  • Gene Products, tat / pharmacokinetics*
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Isoenzymes
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / pharmacokinetics*
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Kinase C / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase C / genetics
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Xanthenes / metabolism

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Gene Products, tat
  • Isoenzymes
  • Peptides
  • Xanthenes
  • Texas red
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate