AI Article Synopsis
- - Artemisinin, derived from the plant Artemisia annua L., demonstrates a unique ability to fight cancer through a process that depends on iron.
- - By attaching artemisinin to a peptide that targets transferrin receptors (HAIYPRH), it can be taken into cancer cells alongside iron, which activates its anti-cancer properties.
- - The resulting artemisinin-peptide conjugates exhibit strong anti-cancer effects specifically on Molt-4 leukemia cells while being less harmful to normal cells.
Article Abstract
Artemisinin, a natural product isolated from Artemisia annua L., shows a unique anti-cancer activity by an iron dependent mechanism. Artemisinin was covalently conjugated to a transferrin-receptor targeting peptide, HAIYPRH that binds to a cavity on the surface of transferrin receptor. This enables artemisinin to be co-internalized with receptor-bound transferrin. The iron released from transferrin can activate artemisinin to generate toxic radical species to kill cells. The artemisinin-peptide conjugates showed potent anti-cancer activity against Molt-4 leukemia cells with a significantly improved cancer/normal cells selectivity.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2008.08.031 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!