Mechanism of direct cytosolic delivery mediated by cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) (IMAGE)
Caption
This schematic illustrates the non-endocytic entry of macromolecular cargoes into the cell via the formation of transient membrane pores. The process is initiated by the electrostatic adsorption of positively charged CPPs (e.g., polyarginine) onto the negatively charged lipid bilayer. This interaction induces a localized destabilization of the membrane, leading to the assembly of a toroidal pore. Through this physical channel, the CPP-protein cargo complex translocates directly from the extracellular space into the cytosol, bypassing the endosomal-lysosomal pathway and ensuring cargo bioactivity.
Credit
Maosong Yang, Jiheng Wang, Chang Chen&Yang Liu
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License
CC BY-NC