Abstract: Disclosed are compounds that can penetrate the mitochondrial membrane and that are able to deliver cargo (e.g., therapeutic agents) specifically to the mitochondria.

Abstract: Described are peptides and peptide conjugates comprising CN binding motifs (CNBM) which inhibit the CN-NFAT interaction. In some embodiments, the peptides comprise: (i) CNBM; (ii) a hydrophobic, non-peptidic moiety (RH) which interacts with the hydrophobic pocket on a CN protein; (iii) a sequence -AAU1-AAU2-AAU3-AAU4-AAU5-AAU6-, wherein each of AAU2, AAU3, AAU4, AAU5, and AAU6, is, independently, optional, and each of AAU1, AAU2, AAU3, AAU4, AAU5, and AAU6 when present is independently an amino acid as defined herein; or (iv) combinations thereof. In some embodiments, RH is conjugated to the N- or C-terminus of the CNBM. In some embodiments, the sequence -AAU1-AAU2-AAU3-AAU4-AAU5-AAU6- is conjugated to the N- or C terminus of the CNBM. In some embodiments, the peptides comprise: CNBM and RH. In some embodiments. In some embodiments, the peptides comprise: CNBM and AAU1-AAU2-AAU3-AAU4-AAU5-AAU6-. In some embodiments, the peptides of the disclosure CNBM and RH.

Abstract: Disclosed is a general, reversible bicyclization strategy to increase both the proteolytic stability and cell permeability of peptidyl drugs. A peptide drug is fused with a short cell-penetrating motif and converted into a conformationally constrained bicyclic structure through the formation of a pair of disulfide bonds. The resulting bicyclic peptide has greatly enhanced proteolytic stability as well as cell-permeability. Once inside the cell, the disulfide bonds are reduced to produce a linear, biologically active peptide. This strategy was applied to generate a cell-permeable bicyclic peptidyl inhibitor against the NEMO-IKK interaction.

Abstract: Anticachexin C1 inhibits the TNF?-TNF? receptor interaction. In this work, analogs of anticachexin C1 are disclosed. The resulting bicyclic peptides inhibit TNF? TNF?-induced cell death, NF-?B activation, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling in cultured mammalian cells. Methods of using the bicyclic peptide anticachexin C1 analogs to treat cancer, inflammatory disorders and immune disorders are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds that can penetrate the mitochondrial membrane and that are able to deliver cargo (e.g., therapeutic agents) specifically to the mitochondria.

Abstract: Described herein, in various embodiments, are peptides comprising: (i) a cyclic cell-penetrating peptide sequence (cCPP) and (ii) a CAL-PDZ binding sequence, which is conjugated, directly or indirectly, to an N-terminus of an amino acid in the cCPP, to a C-terminus of an amino acid on the cCPP, or on a side chain of an amino acid in the cCPP. In other embodiments, the peptides further comprise a physiologically cleavable group, wherein after entering the cell, the physiologically cleavable group is reduced, thereby providing a linear peptide. Without being bound by theory, the inventors discovered that the amino acid sequence in the cCPP, which facilities cytosolic delivery of the CAL-PDZ binding sequence also, surprisingly and unexpectedly, synergistically improves binding of CAL-PDZ binding sequence to the CAL-PDZ binding domain. Additionally, the cCPP sequence may also improve selectivity of the CAL-PDZ binding sequence for the CAL-PDZ domain relative to other PDZ binding domains.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a large combinatorial library of cell-permeable bicyclic peptides. The bicyclic peptides described herein include the first ring consisted of randomized peptide sequences for potential binding to a target of interest while the second ring featured a family of different cell-penetrating motifs, for both cell penetration and target binding. The library was screened against the I?B kinase ?/? (IKK?/?)-binding domain of NF-?B essential modulator (NEMO), resulting in the discovery of several cell-permeable bicyclic peptides which inhibited the NEMO-IKK? interaction, thereby selectively inhibiting canonical NF-?B signaling in mammalian cells and the proliferation of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides modified looped proteins comprising at least one looped region, wherein the at least one looped region comprises a cell penetrating peptide (CPP). In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides polynucleotides encoding the modified looped proteins and methods for their production.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a large combinatorial library of cell-permeable bicyclic peptides. The bicyclic peptides described herein include the first ring consisted of randomized peptide sequences for potential binding to a target of interest while the second ring featured a family of different cell-penetrating motifs, for both cell penetration and target binding. The library was screened against the I?B kinase ?/? (IKK?/?)-binding domain of NF-?B essential modulator (NEMO), resulting in the discovery of several cell-permeable bicyclic peptides which inhibited the NEMO-IKK? interaction, thereby selectively inhibiting canonical NF-?B signaling in mammalian cells and the proliferation of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel polypeptide conjugates. The polypeptide conjugates disclosed herein comprise a stapled peptide comprising a peptide and at least one staple which holds the peptide in an ?-helical conformation, and a cyclic cell-penetrating peptide (cCPP) conjugated, directly or indirectly, to the stapled peptide. The present disclosure demonstrates that cCPPs can be used to confer consistent cell-permeability to stapled peptides.

Abstract: Described are peptides and peptide conjugates comprising CN binding motifs (CNBM) which inhibit the CN-NFAT interaction. In some embodiments, the peptides comprise: (i) CNBM; (ii) a hydrophobic, non-peptidic moiety (RH) which interacts with the hydrophobic pocket on a CN protein; (iii) a sequence -AAU1-AAU2-AAU3-AAU4-AAU5-AAU6-, wherein each of AAU2, AAU3, AAU4, AAU5, and AAU6, is, independently, optional, and each of AAU1, AAU2, AAU3, AAU4, AAU5, and AAU6 when present is independently an amino acid as defined herein; or (iv) combinations thereof. In some embodiments, RH is conjugated to the N- or C-terminus of the CNBM. In some embodiments, the sequence -AAU1-AAU2-AAU3-AAU4-AAU5-AAU6- is conjugated to the N- or C terminus of the CNBM. In some embodiments, the peptides comprise: CNBM and RH. In some embodiments. In some embodiments, the peptides comprise: CNBM and AAU1-AAU2-AAU3-AAU4-AAU5-AAU6-. In some embodiments, the peptides of the disclosure CNBM and RH.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel polypeptide conjugates. The polypeptide conjugates disclosed herein comprise a stapled peptide comprising a peptide and at least one staple which holds the peptide in an ?-helical conformation, and a cyclic cell-penetrating peptide (cCPP) conjugated, directly or indirectly, to the stapled peptide. The present disclosure demonstrates that cCPPs can be used to confer consistent cell-permeability to stapled peptides.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel polypeptide conjugates. The polypeptide conjugates disclosed herein comprise a stapled peptide comprising a peptide and at least one staple which holds the peptide in an ?-helical conformation, and a cyclic cell-penetrating peptide (cCPP) conjugated, directly or indirectly, to the stapled peptide. The present disclosure demonstrates that cCPPs can be used to confer consistent cell-permeability to stapled peptides.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel polypeptide conjugates. The polypeptide conjugates disclosed herein comprise a stapled peptidyl beta-catenin ligand and at least one staple which holds the peptidyl ligand in an ?-helical confirmation, and a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) conjugated, directly or indirectly, to the stapled peptide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are peptides having activity as cell penetrating peptides. In some embodiments, the peptides can comprise a cell penetrating peptide moiety and beta-haripin turn creating moiety. In other embodiments, the peptides also comprise a cargo moiety.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a large combinatorial library of cell-permeable bicyclic peptides. The bicyclic peptides described herein include the first ring consisted of randomized peptide sequences for potential binding to a target of interest while the second ring featured a family of different cell-penetrating motifs, for both cell penetration and target binding. The library was screened against the I?B kinase ?/? (IKK?/?)-binding domain of NF-?B essential modulator (NEMO), resulting in the discovery of several cell-permeable bicyclic peptides which inhibited the NEMO-IKK? interaction, thereby selectively inhibiting canonical NF-?B signaling in mammalian cells and the proliferation of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds having activity as cell penetrating peptides. In some examples, the compounds can comprise a cell penetrating peptide moiety and a cargo moiety. The cargo moiety can comprise one or more detectable moieties, one or more therapeutic moieties, one or more targeting moieties, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the cell penetrating peptide moiety is cyclic. In some examples, the cell penetrating peptide moiety and cargo moiety together are cyclic. In some examples, the cell penetrating peptide moiety is cyclic and the cargo moiety is appended to the cyclic cell penetrating peptide moiety structure. In some examples, the cargo moiety is cyclic and the cell penetrating peptide moiety is cyclic, and together they form a fused bicyclic system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a general, reversible bicyclization strategy to increase both the proteolytic stability and cell permeability of peptidyl drugs. A peptide drug is fused with a short cell-penetrating motif and converted into a conformationally constrained bicyclic structure through the formation of a pair of disulfide bonds. The resulting bicyclic peptide has greatly enhanced proteolytic stability as well as cell-permeability. Once inside the cell, the disulfide bonds are reduced to produce a linear, biologically active peptide. This strategy was applied to generate a cell-permeable bicyclic peptidyl inhibitor against the NEMO-IKK interaction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are peptides having activity as cell penetrating peptides. In some embodiments, the peptides can comprise a cell penetrating peptide moiety and beta-hairpin turn creating moiety. In other embodiments, the peptides also comprise a cargo moiety.

Abstract: Disclosed is a general, reversible bicyclization strategy to increase both the proteolytic stability and cell permeability of peptidyl drugs. A peptide drug is fused with a short cell-penetrating motif and converted into a conformationally constrained bicyclic structure through the formation of a pair of disulfide bonds. The resulting bicyclic peptide has greatly enhanced proteolytic stability as well as cell-permeability. Once inside the cell, the disulfide bonds are reduced to produce a linear, biologically active peptide. This strategy was applied to generate a cell-permeable bicyclic peptidyl inhibitor against the NEMO-IKK interaction.