Alekhya Nimmagadda, Yan Shi and Jianfeng Cai* Pages 2313 - 2329 ( 17 )
A new class of peptidomimetics termed as "γ-AApeptides" was recently developed by our group. Similar to other peptidomimetics, γ-AApeptides are resistant to proteolytic degradation, and possess limitless potential to introduce chemically diverse functional groups. γ-AApeptides have shown great promise in biomedical applications. In this article, we will review a few examples of γ-AApeptides with biological potential. Certain γ-AApeptides can permeate cell membranes and therefore they can be used as potential drug carrier. γ-AApeptides can also bind to HIV RNA with high specificity and affinity, suggesting their potential application as anti-HIV agents. Moreover, they can mimic host-defense peptides and display potent and broad-spectrum activity towards a range of drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. They are also potential anti-cancer agents. For instance, they have shown great promise in targeted imaging of tumor in mouse model, and they are also capable of disrupting p53/DNA interactions, and thus antagonize STAT3 signaling pathway. Recently, from combinatorial screening, γ-AApeptides are identified to inhibit Aβ peptide aggregation, and thus they can be developed into potential anti- Alzheimer’s disease agent.
γ-AApeptides, peptidomimetics, structures, anticancer activity, antimicrobial activity, anti-HIV activity, anti-Aβ aggregation.
Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620, Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620, Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620