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Progress in Research and Application of HIV-1 TAT-Derived Cell-Penetrating Peptide

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Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) transactivator of transcription (TAT) is encoded by HIV-1. It is a peptide rich in basic amino acids and belongs to the protein transduction domain family. It has been found that HIV-1 TAT and its core peptide segment TAT47–57 play an important role in promoting the cellular uptake of coupled bioactive macromolecules, such as peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, and drug molecules. HIV-1 TAT can also significantly increase the soluble expression of extrinsic proteins. However, the mechanism behind the cellular uptake of HIV-1 TAT-derived cell-penetrating peptide remains unclear. This review focuses on the research into HIV-1 TAT-derived cell-penetrating peptide over the last years. We briefly discuss TAT’s structural features, functions and applications, the mechanism of its cellular internalization, current challenges, and their possible solutions. At the end of this review, we provide a summary and predict the future research directions and potential applications of HIV-1 TAT when it is used as a cell-penetrating peptide.

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Acknowledgements

We sincerely thank all of the participants involved in this project. This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81373491 and 81302750). This work was also supported by Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Department of Pharmacy of Central South University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology of Central South University, and Institute of Hospital Pharmacy of Central South University. The authors of this manuscript confirm that this article content has no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87, Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China

    Le Zou, Qilin Peng, Ping Wang & Boting Zhou

  2. Institute of Hospital Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China

    Ping Wang & Boting Zhou

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  1. Le Zou
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  2. Qilin Peng
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Correspondence to Boting Zhou.

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Zou, L., Peng, Q., Wang, P. et al. Progress in Research and Application of HIV-1 TAT-Derived Cell-Penetrating Peptide. J Membrane Biol 250, 115–122 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00232-016-9940-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00232-016-9940-z

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