ABSTRACT

In this review we describe the design and the synthesis of primary amphipathic peptides containing a cationic nuclear localization sequence. It is shown that this type of peptide can act as carrier for drugs and nucleic acids which are either covalently linked or involved in the formation of a complex. The final cellular localization is mainly nuclear but seems to be sequence dependent. The conformational states of the peptides have been investigated in various media and in the presence of lipids a concentration dependent α to β transconformation has been detected for lipids in the liquid crystal state.