Positively charged liposomes consisting of the KTTKS pentapeptide conjugated with rhodamine increase rhodamine toxicity in E. coli and zebrafish embryo

Liposomes composed of cell-penetrating peptide derivatives increased transport across the cell membrane. Conjugating rhodamine to a cell-penetrating peptide increased the toxicity of rhodamine in E. coli and zebrafish embryos. A similar total protein inhibition pattern with different intensities, indicating that the interaction pathways of the rho-KTTKS-CONH2 monomer and liposomes were the same. It suggests that the rho-KTTKS-CONH2 liposomes showed higher toxicity because better transport across the cell membrane increased the effective concentration inside cells. The staining of zebrafish embryos using rho-KTTKS-CONH2 liposomes showed a longer retention time, suggesting that it can penetrate deeper tissues or organs in zebrafish.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates that liposomes composed of rho-KTTKS-CONH2 have higher toxicity due to better transport across the cell membrane, increasing the effective concentration inside cells. Staining of zebrafish embryos using rho-KTTKS-CONH2 liposomes shows a longer retention time, suggesting deeper tissue penetration.