Cell Penetrability of a γ-Crystallin Peptide Fragment from the Discarded Cataractous Eye Emulsion

Abstract

The efficiency of the intracellular transport of medication and target specificity is frequently hampered by biological obstacles. The potential for therapeutic use of peptide fragments from naturally occurring proteins is promising, as peptides exhibit high selectivity due to several possibilities of interaction with their target. Certain peptide sequences, often referred to as cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), are those that can penetrate cell membranes. Our goal is to find these sequences in the discarded postcataractery surgery emulsion known as the cataractous eye protein isolate (CEPI). One peptide fragment from this discarded protein has been identified to be a potential CPP based on the similarities with other well-known CPPs. Cell membrane penetrability and cytotoxicity of the peptide have been investigated. Fibroblast cells were incubated with the fluorescently labeled peptide and were observed under fluorescence as well as under confocal microscopy. It was found that the peptide possesses a cell-penetrating ability.