Heparin-Promoted Cellular Uptake of the Cell-Penetrating Glycosaminoglycan Binding Peptide, GBP, Depends on a Single Tryptophan.

A 10-residue, glycosaminoglycan-binding peptide, GBP, derived from human eosinophil cationic protein has been recently designated as a potent cell-penetrating peptide. A model system containing peptide, glycan, and lipid was monitored by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine the cell-penetrating mechanism. Heparin octasaccharide with dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) lipid micelle was titrated into the GBP solution.