Table 3.
PTDs | Profection* | |
Common features | Positive net charge mediates association with cell surface, endocytosis as main route of entrance | |
Differences | PTD-fusion proteins are at a molecular scale, covalent linkage of cargo and PTD | Particulate complexes, non-covalent association of cargo and transfection reagent |
Efficiency and endosomal release | − | + |
Sedimentation techniques for increasing efficiency and reducing toxicity applicable? | − | + |
Therapeutic potential | + | − |
Cytotoxicity/known side effects | HIV1-TAT-PTD, antennapedia-PTD and nona-arginine inhibit TNF signalling by downregulation of TNF-receptors (TNF receptors are internalized without being activated),191 penetratin has inhibitory effect on NFκB,192 dose and exposure-time dependent cytotoxic effects reported for HIV1-TAT-PTD and antennapedia-PTD,193 poration and intense damage of membranes by transportan.194 | Cytotoxicity potentially increased compared with DNA-transfections as more lipids are required to complex proteins.76 |
Not including protein cationization. PTD, protein transduction domain; TNF, tumor necrosis factor.