Cell Penetrating Peptides as potential drug carriers

Abstract

The discovery and development of natural, synthetic or peptidomimetic cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) is a promising breakthrough to achieve non-invasive delivery of non-permeable biomolecules in the intracellular compartment. The CPPs are able to carry small molecules, plasmid DNA, interfering RNA, proteins, viruses, nanoparticles among others, across the cellular membrane, resulting in internalization of the intact cargos. In general, are sequence with 5-30 aminoacids, which are classified in cationics, amphipathics or hydrophobics, depending on its structural characteristics. The present review explores the classification, as well as the "state of the art" of this topic, focuses on the link between CPP and cargo.