Pepducin
Pepducins are novel cell-penetrating peptides that act as intracellular modulators of signal transference from receptors to G proteins. Pepducins were first developed at the Tufts Medical Center laboratories of Dr. Athan Kuliopulos and Dr. Lidija Covic.[1]
Pepducins utilize lipidated fragments of intracellular G protein-coupled receptor loops to modulate GPCR action in targeted cell-signaling pathways.[2] A pepducin molecule comprises a short peptide derived from a GPCR intracellular loop tethered to a hydrophobic moiety. This structure allows pepducin lipopeptides to anchor in the cell membrane lipid bilayer and target the GPCR/G protein interface via a unique intracellular allosteric mechanism. Pepducins for over 15 different GPCRs have been successfully produced, several of which have shown activity in preclinical in vivo models.[3]
An anti-PAR4 pepducin extended bleeding time in mice and protected against systemic platelet activation and thrombosis.[2]
A CXCR4 agonist pepducin mobilizes bone marrow hematopoietic cells.[4]
A PAR1 pepducin, PZ-128, has successfully completed phase I clinical trials,[5] and progress continues to be made.[6][7]
References
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