Mitochondria-Penetrating Peptides

Mitochondria are important targets for cancer chemotherapy and other disease treatments. Gaining access to this organelle can be difficult, as the inner membrane is a barrier limiting diffusive transport. A mitochondrial molecular carrier would be a boon to the development of organelle-specific therapeutics. Here, we report a significant advance in the development of mitochondrial transporters-synthetic cell-permeable peptides that are able to enter mitochondria. Efficient uptake of these mitochondria-penetrating peptides (MPPs) is observed in a variety of cell types, and organellar specificity is attained with sequences that possess specific chemical properties. The MPPs identified are cationic, but also lipophilic; this combination of characteristics facilitates permeation of the hydrophobic mitochondrial membrane. The examination of a panel of MPPs illustrates that mitochondrial localization can be rationally controlled and finely tuned by altering lipophilicity and charge.