As the world moves on through the ongoing pandemic that is COVID-19, great minds across every field and corner of the world are doing their part to further our collective understanding of the virus. A recent study specifically took greater notice in the population of antibodies increasing in more sever cases of COVID-19 over mild ones. Specifically, there was a study conducted on the higher HERV-W and IFN-I antibody presence detected in intensive care COVID-19 patients, utilizing peptides for the experiment.

HERV-W and IFN-I antibody presence higher in severe COVID-19 cases

LifeTein supplied the group with the HERV-W-env(248–262), IFN-α, and IFN-ω peptides necessary for the report. Not only did the studies prove higher levels of anti-IFN-I autoantibodies and HERV-W antibodies are much more prevalent in severe COVID-19 cases than in mild ones, but it opened up a new perspective on how the humoral responses against HERV-W-env(248–262) and IFN-α are correlated across ICU patients. Hopefully, this research leads to more beneficial breakthroughs over time, for COVID-19 cases and potentially other life-threatening conditions as well.

Simula, E. R., Manca, M. A., Noli, M., Jasemi, S., Ruberto, S., Uzzau, S., Rubino, S., Manca, P., & Sechi, L. A. (2022). Increased Presence of Antibodies against Type I Interferons and Human Endogenous Retrovirus W in Intensive Care Unit COVID-19 Patients. In H. H. Mostafa (Ed.), Microbiology Spectrum. American Society for Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.01280-22

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LPETG Peptide allows Analysis of cell-cell Interactions

LifeTein’s Synthetic RBD Develops COVID Multiplex Assay

LifeTein’s CPPs and Nanomaterial Internalization

HERV Peptide Derivatives as Biomarkers

Platinum based anticancer drugs generally go hand-in-hand with DNA, however their interactions with proteins are important to understand as well. A group focused their work on discovering and further exploring binding sites of cisplatin onto both an oligonucleotide and two peptides corresponding to segments of H2A and H2B histone proteins via mass spectrometry. The study revealed key interactions and the mechanism of cisplatin binding with oligonucleotides and peptides, and eventually DNA as well.

Peptide and oligonucleotide competitive binding with platinum

LifeTein supplied the group with two peptides for the project; P1, from the acidic region of H2a, and P2, from the α2-helix of H2B human histone protein. These peptides and an oligonucleotide model of DNA were analyzed using electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry and tested with substantial theoretical figures to match the fragments. Here the group found the preferred binding sites on both of the peptides and the oligonucleotide, of relevance are the multiple histidine and methionine residues on P2 that saw the most binding to cisplatin over P1.

The adducts formed on platinated P2 were tested and incubated solely with the oligonucleotide, where after two days the group found that a portion of the platinum fragments had migrated from the peptide to the oligonucleotide. This observation not only showed that the oligonucleotide was perhaps the more thermodynamically favored product, but also gave insight into how the cisplatin drug takes to DNA during chemotherapy, by binding to the proteins first and then reversing the reaction and migrating. The long-term implications of this mechanism will surely be researched and explored in the future of platinum drug delivery and cancer treatment.

Mansouri, F., Patiny, L., Ortiz, D. et al. Simultaneous mass spectrometry analysis of cisplatin with oligonucleotide-peptide mixtures: implications for the mechanism of action. J Biol Inorg Chem 27, 239–248 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00775-022-01924-9

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αCT1 Peptide Weakens Cancerous Glioma Cells

LifeTein’s Synthetic RBD Develops COVID Multiplex Assay

LifeTein’s CPPs and Nanomaterial Internalization

HERV Peptide Derivatives as Biomarkers

After the gut, the mouth is most important microbiome in the human body, with the inhabitants ranging from bacteria and fungi to viruses and protozoa. If this careful balance of microorganisms is thrown off even by a little, certain pathogens could propagate and cause serious periodontal diseases. One such pathogen is Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), that degrades the components of the specialized basal lamina that protects supporting tissues in the teeth. However, one component of this specialized basal lamina, the secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein proline-glutamine rich 1 (SCPPPQ1) protein, had shown to be not only resistant to P. gingivalis, but to also affect the cell membrane of P. gingivalis itself. A group of researchers then decided to explore these antimicrobial properties of the SCPPPQ1 protein and its peptide derivatives.

SCPPPQ1 protein and peptide derivatives as antibacterial agents

Using the SCPPPQ1 protein itself and derived peptides synthesized by LifeTein, the group sought to test how they fared against P. gingivalis in isolated conditions. After incubating the two together, results showed rapid and significant decrease of P. gingivalis population. The means of which were narrowed down to aggregation of bacteria and membrane disruption.

The group went further and tested the antibacterial properties against other pathogens, and though there were results, none were as significant as those against P. gingivalis. The results point towards a more honed treatment against P. gingivalis in the future using this knowledge of the SCPPPQ1 protein and its peptide derivatives. Since the protein itself is native in the human mouth, further application to treat periodontal pathogens with its antibacterial properties is not out of the question.

Mary, C., Fouillen, A., Moffatt, P. et al. Effect of human secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein proline-glutamine rich 1 protein on Porphyromonas gingivalis and identification of its active portions. Sci Rep 11, 23724 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02661-w

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Receptor Decoy Peptide Lowers Blood Pressure

LifeTein’s Synthetic RBD Develops COVID Multiplex Assay

LifeTein’s CPPs and Nanomaterial Internalization

HERV Peptide Derivatives as Biomarkers

Adult type 2 diabetics are at very high risk of obesity-associated hypertension, where the end result can be as grave as heart failure. The systems involved in the human body regarding these conditions can be complex, but scientists have identified cases of stroke and refractory hypertension that harbored increased plasma IgG, 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5-HT2AR)-targeting autoantibodies.

Serotonin 2A-Receptor Decoy Peptide Lowers Blood Pressure

The goal was to test whether a decoy receptor peptide could lower blood pressure in an animal model of obesity-associated hypertension. The team developed the decoy receptor peptide, SCLLADDN (Sertuercept), and LifeTein synthesized it successfully for the project. Using Zucker hypertensive diabetic fatty rats as the model, the team proved their theory.

Results showed after implementing the decoy receptor peptide, acute and long-lasting significant systolic and diastolic blood pressure-lowering occurred within the rat models. This followed through without any long-term side effects after chronic administration. Hopefully, these results are fruitful in later applications and the same peptide can be used to help significantly lower blood pressure in humans afflicted with type 2 diabetes as well.


Zimering MB. A Serotonin 2A-Receptor Decoy Peptide Potently Lowers Blood Pressure in Male Zucker Diabetic, Fatty, Hypertensive Rats. Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Journal. 2021 Aug;5(2). DOI: 10.31038/edmj.2021523. PMID: 35035793; PMCID: PMC8759716.

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LifeTein’s Synthetic RBD Develops COVID Multiplex Assay

Gallium Nanoparticles as Inhibitors of Alzheimer’s Peptide

LifeTein’s CPPs and Nanomaterial Internalization

HERV Peptide Derivatives as Biomarkers

Alzheimer’s disease as we know it today is a horrible and currently incurable neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuronal loss, memory impairment, and cognitive decline. Ongoing research is always looking for ways to combat or slow down this disorder, and one such area of interest is the related formation of senile amyloid plaques mainly composed of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides, whose aggregation is thought to be responsible for Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Researchers are implementing gallium nitride nanoparticles as a means to inhibit the formation of the Aβ40 amyloid peptides.


Gallium nanoparticles inhibit amyloid β peptide formation

LifeTein supplied the scientists with the Aβ40 peptide necessary for this research, where they would synthesize their nanoparticle with gallium nitrate and observe its inhibition on the peptide in vitro. Gallium nitrate in particular is of interest due to its biocompatibility and aqueous stability, allowing the substance to be useful in numerous biological applications.

After observing their interactions together using the likes of ThT fluorescence, CR absorbance, turbidity, and SEM imaging, the group concluded that the nanoparticle did in fact inhibit the crucial oligomeric nucleus formation of the amyloid β peptide. The group believes a key factor in this is the polarization characteristic of the nanoparticle, where even more polarization could mean more interaction between the nanoparticle and the peptide, and thus less intermolecular interactions among the Aβ40 peptide monomers to form amyloids. Hopefully the future sees more studies on these gallium nitrate nanoparticles, and how further modifications could benefit the fight against Alzheimer’s through these critical Aβ40 peptides.

Torres, K. M., Delgado, A. S., Serrano, E. R., Falcón-Cruz, N. V., Meléndez, A., Ramos, I., Du, D., & Oyola, R. (2021). Gallium nanoparticles as novel inhibitors of Aβ40 aggregation. In Materials Advances (Vol. 2, Issue 16, pp. 5471–5478). Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). https://doi.org/10.1039/d1ma00461a

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LifeTein’s Synthetic RBD Develops COVID Multiplex Assay

LifeTein’s Photocleavable Linkers on Nanorobots

LifeTein’s CPPs and Nanomaterial Internalization

HERV Peptide Derivatives as Biomarkers

A SARS-CoV-2 specific serological assay is necessary as the global pandemic persists. The ability of such an assay to quantify virus antibodies in high and low COVID-19 incidence communities has a multitude of benefits. These include assessment of exposure rates to the virus, the immune responses to vaccination, and the longevity of antibodies from either infection or vaccination.

Spike Protein Peptide Helps Develop Multiplex Assay

Scientists used a multiple of resources to develop their SARS-CoV-2 specific serological assay, including a synthetic peptide of the RBD region of the Spike protein (synthetic RBD) by LifeTein. Overall, the assay proved highly sensitive and specific in monitoring the immune response and antibodies in both individuals and communities.

Some innate limitations to this kind of assay would be cross-reactivity with other human-coronaviruses, though this was not an issue in the small control group used in Ithaca. The amount of information attainable from the assay will help immensely in the future of this pandemic, as being able to assess infection risks in population will save countless through precautions.

Guarino C, Larson E, Babasyan S, Rollins A, Joshi LR, Laverack M, et al. (2022) Development of a quantitative COVID-19 multiplex assay and its use for serological surveillance in a low SARS-CoV-2 incidence community. PLoS ONE 17(1): e0262868. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262868

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LifeTein’s Photocleavable Linkers on Nanorobots

Valporate Peptides and Respiratory Treatment

LifeTein’s CPPs and Nanomaterial Internalization

HERV Peptide Derivatives as Biomarkers

A common strategy for nanomaterials to enter the cell has always been covalent coupling with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). While effective, it is not always desirable to make chemical modifications to the nanoparticles. Recently, cationic CPPs have been shown to stimulate cellular uptake of nanoparticles via co-administration. This effect, labeled the bystander manner, allows for nanoparticles to enter the cell with CPPs without chemical modification.

CPPs facilitate Nanoparticle entry into cells

Using CPPs synthesized by LifeTein, scientists wanted to explore if amphiphilic and hydrophobic CPPs were as effective as cationic CPPs at facilitating nanoparticles into the cell via the bystander manner. After testing the peptides used in the table above on mice, they found the amphiphilic Transportan Peptide (TP) was a very effective CPP for increasing cellular uptake of nanoparticles in this fashion.

Though more research needs to be completed down the line to fully understand all of the components of TP-mediated bystander uptake, this stands as a new and effective method to increase the intracellular delivery efficiency of nanoparticles.


Li, Y.-X.; Wei, Y.; Zhong, R.; Li, L.; Pang, H.-B. Transportan Peptide Stimulates the Nanomaterial Internalization into Mammalian Cells in the Bystander Manner through Macropinocytosis. Pharmaceutics 2021, 13, 552. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13040552

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LifeTein’s Peptides on Nanoparticles

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HERV Peptide Derivatives as Biomarkers

Expression of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) shows potential for peptide derivatives to be used as biomarkers for prostate cancer. Specifically, peptides from HERV-K and HERV-H Proteins show association in prostate cancer pathogenesis.

HERV Peptides as Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer

With prostate cancer being the most common cause of death by cancer in males, there is a need to identify aggressive tumors that current diagnostic tests do not measure up to. Scientists looked toward the envelope protein of HERV family viruses, well known for its immunosuppressive properties and role in modulating transcription factors of cancer-associated pathways. LifeTein synthesized the peptide derivatives of this protein, where HERV-K and HERV-H especially showed promise as prostate cancer biomarkers.

The findings suggest these HERV peptides have capabilities for their serum autoantibodies to further investigate the expression levels of the envelope protein of HERV-K and HERV-H in biopsy samples. It remains ever exciting to watch the continuously-growing usefulness of peptides expand into more and more fields, and hopefully use as Biomarkers is far from the last.

Manca, M.A.; Solinas, T.; Simula, E.R.; Noli, M.; Ruberto, S.; Madonia, M.; Sechi, L.A. HERV-K and HERV-H Env Proteins Induce a Humoral Response in Prostate Cancer Patients. Pathogens 2022, 11, 95. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11010095

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Antimicrobial Peptides Treat Against Drug Resistant Pathogens

Valporate Peptides and Respiratory Treatment

LifeTein’s Peptides on Nanoparticles

LifeTein’s Photocleavable Linkers on Nanorobots