Helical poly(arginine) mimics with superior cell-penetrating and molecular transporting properties

摘要

Poly(arginine) mimics bearing long hydrophobic side chains adopt a stable helical conformation and exhibit helix-reiated cell-penetrating properties. Elongating the polypeptide backbone length and increasing side chain hydrophobicity further increase the helicities of poly{arginine) mimics. These helical poly(arginine) mimics show superior cell membrane permeability up to two orders of magnitude higher than that of HIV-TAT peptide and excellent DNA and siRNA delivery efficiencies in various mammalian cells.