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Cell-Penetrating Peptides pp 73–87Cite as

Investigating Membrane Interactions and Structures of CPPs

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1324))

Abstract

Despite many studies made on cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), the mechanism of their cellular uptake and endosomal escape has not been completely resolved. This is even more unclear when the CPP is bound either covalently or non-covalently to the cargo molecules. To answer remaining questions, we require a combination of different methods, model systems, and experiments since there is no single method which could give a complete answer to all questions. Biophysical investigations of CPPs have a significant impact on CPP research considering their molecular mechanisms of action. In this chapter, we present different membrane model systems suitable for biophysical studies as well as the basic practical aspects underlying several common biophysical methods and experiments. The methods include fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering and concern peptide-membrane interactions and vesicle model membrane leakage. We have also described the potential and limitations of biophysical studies on the CPP-membrane interactions and their impact on our understanding of how CPPs mediate the transport of cargoes into living cells.

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Acknowledgment

Research in this field in the author’s laboratory is supported by the Swedish Research Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden

    Fatemeh Madani

  2. Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

    Astrid Gräslund

Authors
  1. Fatemeh Madani
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  2. Astrid Gräslund
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fatemeh Madani .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurochemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

    Ülo Langel

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Madani, F., Gräslund, A. (2015). Investigating Membrane Interactions and Structures of CPPs. In: Langel, Ü. (eds) Cell-Penetrating Peptides. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1324. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2806-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2806-4_5

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2805-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2806-4

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