Peptides in DNA delivery: current insights and future directions

Peptides are emerging as attractive alternatives to cationic polymers and lipids for nonviral DNA delivery. Their remarkable properties such as efficient condensation of DNA, translocation across the cellular membrane, pH-sensitive membrane disruption, and efficient targeting of attached cargoes to the nucleus make them lucrative for researchers to explore their application in DNA delivery. In this review article, we focus on how the chemical nature, structural features and DNA complexation strategies of different peptides have been utilized for efficient DNA delivery. We also discuss their potential problems hindering in vivo application.