Cell-penetrating peptide-labelled smart polymers for enhanced gene delivery.

Highly efficient gene delivery vehicles are pursued to progress gene therapy. In this study, we developed the cell-penetrating peptide-labelled and degradable gene carriers for efficient external gene transfection. The cationic carriers were prepared by coupling low-molecular-weight polyethylenimine (PEI800) with 4'4-dithiodibutyric acid (DA), and HIV-1 Trans-Activator of Transcription (TAT) was conjugated to the carriers as a penetrating peptide.