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Cy5.5-Labeled GSC Targeting Peptide AWEFYFP is based on the published seven-amino-acid glioblastoma stem-cell (GSC) targeting peptide AWEFYFP. AWEFYFP was independently recovered through both in-vitro and intracranial in-vivo phage-display selection strategies, making it an unusually well-supported short targeting sequence for experimental glioblastoma research.
The published studies showed preferential association of AWEFYFP with glioblastoma stem cells compared with differentiated glioma cells and non-neoplastic brain cells. In mouse intracranial xenograft studies, a Cyanine 5.5-conjugated AWEFYFP probe administered intravenously localized to the tumor site. These results established AWEFYFP as a useful experimental ligand for studying GSC-selective recognition and intracranial tumor-homing behavior.
Glioblastoma Stem-Cell Targeting
Glioblastoma contains cellular subpopulations with stem-like properties, including self-renewal and tumor-initiating capacity. These GSC populations are widely studied because they are associated with tumor maintenance, therapeutic resistance, and recurrence. Short targeting peptides selected directly against GSCs provide a compact chemical format for studying cell-surface recognition without requiring a full antibody or recombinant targeting protein.
AWEFYFP was selected from random peptide libraries by orthogonal biopanning approaches. Recovery of the same sequence from independent screening strategies strengthened the evidence that the peptide was not simply an artifact of one selection format.
Cadherin 2 / N-Cadherin Recognition
Subsequent biochemical studies identified Cadherin 2 (CDH2; N-cadherin) as a cell-surface protein associated with AWEFYFP binding. Competition and binding assays supported specific interaction of the peptide with Cadherin 2. This finding provides a mechanistic basis for using AWEFYFP-derived probes in studies of GSC surface biology, ligand-receptor recognition, and glioblastoma-targeting systems.
Fluorescent Cy5.5 Labeling
LT8674 contains the AWEFYFP targeting sequence together with a cysteine-based fluorescent-labeling configuration. Fluorescent labeling allows the peptide to be followed directly in microscopy, flow cytometry, binding assays, tissue sections, and imaging-oriented experiments. The cysteine provides a defined chemical position for thiol-selective fluorophore attachment, helping separate the targeting sequence from the reporter group.
The 2023 Stem Cells study specifically reported that Cyanine 5.5-conjugated AWEFYFP used for glioblastoma experiments was synthesized by LifeTein. This provides unusually direct literature support for a fluorescent AWEFYFP product format.
Potential Research Applications
- Glioblastoma stem-cell binding studies
- Cadherin 2 / N-cadherin ligand studies
- Fluorescence microscopy and tissue staining
- Flow-cytometric peptide binding assays
- Glioblastoma xenograft imaging research
- Targeted nanoparticle and drug-delivery platform development
- Comparison of targeted and non-targeted peptide probes
- GSC surface-receptor discovery and validation
Published Sequence and LifeTein Product Design
Published targeting sequence: AWEFYFP
LifeTein LT8674: AWEFYFP-C-Cy5.5
The additional cysteine/fluorophore configuration is a chemical research modification and is not part of the original seven-residue phage-display sequence.
References
Kim J, et al. Glioblastoma Stem Cell Targeting Peptide Isolated Through Phage Display Binds Cadherin 2. Stem Cells. 2023;41(8):762-774.
doi: 10.1093/stmcls/sxad045.
Public source / publication
Kim J, et al. Use of phage display biopanning as a tool to design CAR-T cells against glioma stem cells. Front Oncol. 2023;13:1124272.
doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1124272.
Public source / publication Related LifeTein Services
Custom Peptide Synthesis
Fluorescent Peptide Labeling
Peptide Click Chemistry and Conjugation
Peptide Carrier Protein Conjugation
Research Use Only. Not for human, diagnostic, clinical, or therapeutic use.
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