Design and Testing of a PSA-Activated Pro-Apoptotic Peptide
Abstract
The goal of this project is to design and test novel synthetic peptides that can be cleaved by the extracellular enzyme Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) to yield a peptide fragment that can enter cells and directly induce apoptosis. The objective is to explore a new approach for developing molecularly targeted systemic agents for metastatic prostate cancer. The synthetic peptides were designed with domains that could be (i) cleaved by PSA, (ii) permeate the plasma membrane, and (iii) disrupt mitochondrial membranes to induce apoptosis. Cell lines on which the synthetic peptides will be tested (human prostate cancer cells, normal primary human prostate epithelial cells, and human endothelial cells) were obtained and optimal culture conditions were determined. Optimal assays for cytotoxicity or apoptosis for each cell line were determined. Testing of the peptides will be performed in the final six months of the project.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA476757
Entities
People
- Timothy Quinn
Organizations
- University of California, San Francisco