TY - JOUR AB - Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), also known as protein transduction domains, are a class of diverse peptides with 5‑30 amino acids. CPPs are divided into cationic, amphipathic and hydrophobic CPPs. They are able to carry small molecules, plasmid DNA, small interfering RNA, proteins, viruses, imaging agents and other various nanoparticles across the cellular membrane, resulting in internalization of the intact cargos. However, the mechanisms of CPP internalization remain to be elucidated. Recently, CPPs have received considerable attention due to their high transduction efficiency and low cytotoxicity. These peptides have a significant potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, such as delivery of fluorescent or radioactive compounds for imaging, delivery of peptides and proteins for therapeutic application, and delivery of molecules into induced pluripotent stem cells for directing differentiation. The present study reviews the classifications and transduction mechanisms of CPPs, as well as their potential applications. AD - The Liver Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050082, P.R. China AU - Guo,Zhengrong AU - Peng,Huanyan AU - Kang,Jiwen AU - Sun,Dianxing DA - 2016/05/01 DO - 10.3892/br.2016.639 EP - 534 IS - 5 JO - Biomed Rep KW - cell‑penetrating peptides protein transduction domain peptide therapeutic internalization PY - 2016 SN - 2049-9434 2049-9442 SP - 528 ST - Cell-penetrating peptides: Possible transduction mechanisms and therapeutic applications (Review) T2 - Biomedical Reports TI - Cell-penetrating peptides: Possible transduction mechanisms and therapeutic applications (Review) UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2016.639 VL - 4 ER -