RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Viral and Other Cell-Penetrating Peptides as Vectors of Therapeutic Agents in Medicine JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 32 OP 42 DO 10.1124/jpet.115.223305 VO 354 IS 1 A1 Julia Durzyńska A1 Łucja Przysiecka A1 Robert Nawrot A1 Jakub Barylski A1 Grzegorz Nowicki A1 Alicja Warowicka A1 Oskar Musidlak A1 Anna Goździcka-Józefiak YR 2015 UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/354/1/32.abstract AB Efficient delivery of heterologous molecules for treatment of cells is a great challenge in modern medicine and pharmacology. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) may improve efficient delivery of a wide range of macromolecular cargos, including plasmid DNA, small interfering RNA, drugs, nanoparticulate pharmaceutical carriers, and anticancer drugs. In this paper, we present the history of CPPs’ discovery with special attention drawn to sequences of viral origin. We also describe different CPP families with regard to their physicochemical properties and numerous mechanisms of CPP cell uptake by direct penetration and endocytotic pathways. A detailed description is focused on formation of carrier-cargo complexes, which are needed for practical use of CPPs in medicine and biotechnology. Examples of successful application of CPPs in treatment of human diseases are also presented, including decreased tumor growth and induction of cancer cell death. Finally, we review modern design approaches to novel CPPs and prediction of their activity. To sum up, the current review presents a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of CPPs and may be a valuable source of information for researchers in pharmacology designing new therapeutic agents.