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pVEC is an 18-amino acid-long cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) derived from the murine sequence of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin, also known as Cadherin-5), specifically from amino acids 615–632. This peptide facilitates the efficient and rapid internalization of various molecules into cells through a receptor-independent mechanism.
Mechanism of Action: pVEC operates via a non-endocytic translocation mechanism, allowing it to cross cell membranes without the need for receptor-mediated endocytosis. Studies have shown that pVEC can enter various cell lines, including human aortic endothelial cells, brain capillary endothelial cells, Bowes melanoma cells, and murine brain endothelial cells. Notably, pVEC accumulates in nuclear structures and is distributed throughout the cells. Its uptake occurs even at 4 C, indicating that the process does not rely on energy-dependent endocytosis pathways.
Due to its ability to facilitate the intracellular delivery of macromolecules, pVEC is utilized as a carrier peptide in various research applications, including:
- Gene Delivery: Transporting nucleic acids such as plasmids or oligonucleotides into cells.
- Protein Delivery: Delivering proteins or peptides that are otherwise impermeable to the cell membrane.
- Therapeutic Applications: Potential use in drug delivery systems to enhance the intracellular delivery of therapeutic agents.
pVEC exemplifies how peptides derived from cell adhesion molecules can be engineered for efficient intracellular delivery, expanding the toolkit for molecular biology and therapeutic interventions.
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