(Arg)9 peptide

(Arg)9 is an cell-penetrating peptide made up of 9 arginine residues capable of traversing plasma membranes. It has been shown that Arg9 destabilize and disrupt the phospholipid bilayer allowing flow of ions across the membrane. (Arg)9 peptide plays an important role in efficient cellular uptake. The guanidinium group is a critical structural determinant for tight and rapid interactions with cell membrane. The cationic guanidinium group can form electrostatic interactions with anionic cell membranes components such as phospholipids and sulphated proteoglycans. This interaction can trigger the activation of specific intracellular signalling and cell internalization via various pathways. (Arg)9 peptide is used to deliver a variety of functionally active cargos such as peptides, small interfering RNA, oligonucleotides, plasmid DNA and liposomes into mammalian cells and plant cells with high translocation efficiency. (Arg)9 peptide can also be used to form chemical linkages with the cargo and act as a carrier peptide.