A peptide derived from herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein H: Membrane translocation and applications to the delivery of quantum dots

Cell membranes are impermeable to most molecules that are not actively imported by living cells, including all macromolecules and even small molecules whose physiochemical properties prevent passive membrane diffusion. However, recently, we have seen the development of increasingly sophisticated methodology for intracellular drug delivery. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), short peptides believed to enter cells by penetrating cell membranes, have attracted great interest in the hope of enhancing gene therapy, vaccine development and drug delivery. Nevertheless, to achieve an efficient intracellular delivery, further strategies to bypass the endocytotic pathway must be investigated. We report on a novel peptide molecule derived from glycoprotein gH of herpes simplex type I virus that is able to traverse the membrane bilayer and to transport a cargo into the cytoplasm with novel properties in comparison with existing CPPs. We use as cargo molecule quantum dots that do not significantly traverse the membrane bilayer on their own. From the Clinical Editor: Cell-penetrating peptides have recently attracted great interest in optimizing gene therapy, vaccine development and drug delivery. In this study, a peptide derived from glycoprotein gH of herpes simplex I is investigated from this standpoint. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.