Structural Control of Membrane-Targeted Peptides for Delivery of Functional Proteins

  1. Pazo Pascual, Marta
Dirixida por:
  1. Javier Montenegro García Director

Universidade de defensa: Universidade de Santiago de Compostela

Fecha de defensa: 26 de novembro de 2021

Tribunal:
  1. Eduardo Fernandez Megia Presidente
  2. Elena Pazos Secretario/a
  3. Dennis W. P. M. Lowik Vogal
Departamento:
  1. Departamento de Química Orgánica

Tipo: Tese

Resumo

The plasma membrane controls the flow of bioactive molecules entering the cell. Most small molecules can easily cross plasma membranes. However, macromolecules such as proteins or antibodies with pharmacological characteristics have limited access, either by hindering internalization or endosomal escape. Therefore, during the development of this PhD thesis we designed new CPPs as transporters of this type of drugs. We investigated new CPP designs and how to modulate their cellular activity, penetration and viability capabilities. Starting with new peptide libraries through dynamic linkages to discover good ratios between cationic charge and hydrophobic residues. Moving on to designs that increase helical folding in membranes to improve internalization and viability. Finally, to characterize the supramolecular behavior in membranes of the designed CPPs and to evaluate the capacity for transport and delivery of protein drugs.