Stearylated antimicrobial peptide [D]-K6L9 with cell penetrating property for efficient gene transfer.

Stearyl-cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been proved to be efficient nonviral gene vectors. Due to the similarities between antimicrobial peptides and CPPs, we constructed a novel type of gene vectors by introducing stearyl moiety to the N-terminus of antimicrobial peptide [D]-K6L9. In this study, stearyl-[D]-K6L9 delivered plasmids into cells by clathrin- and caveolin-mediated endocytosis. Gratifyingly, stearyl-[D]-K6L9 exhibited high transfection efficiency and almost reached the level of Lipofectamine 2000. Taken together, the combination of the stearyl moiety with [D]-K6L9 provides a novel framework for the development of excellent nonviral gene vectors.