Cambrex launch new protein delivery reagent
non-cytotoxic delivery of biologically active cargo molecules, such
as proteins, peptides, or small molecules directly into living
cells providing drug R&D with an effective tool for pathway
research and analysis, target validation and peptide library
screening.
This novel reagent provides a fast and easy method to study cell and protein function, while avoiding the problems of DNA transfections such as promoter interference and unpredictable levels of transfection.
The newly discovered peptide (patent pending) translocates itself and the attached cargo molecules into cultured cells when added to the culture medium. Passport Reagent-Cargo Complex delivery is very efficient (up to 100 per cent of cultured primary cells or cell lines) and allows rapid analysis of the unharmed transduced cells.
The conjugation of Passport Reagent and a cargo molecule occurs through the 2-pyridil-thio group on the reagent that forms a disulfide bond with any free thiol situated on the cargo molecule.
Coupling of Passport Reagent with cargo molecules is a simple process by incubating appropriate amounts of each component at room temperature for 15-30 minutes, and diluting with culture medium and apply to culturing cells.
A spokesman for Cambrex told DrugResearcher.com: "There was a significant market need for an effective protein delivery tool to better address the research market, as well as playing into the growing movement in proteomics."
The reagent presents significant advantages which include the delivery of macromolecules into cells in less than 1-2 hours, the transfection of a wide variety of cell types including primary cells and its relative ease of use.
"We believe customers will include basic researchers trying to understand regulatory pathways and gene function, but potentially also protein/peptide library screeners," he added.
Several cell lines and primary cells have been successfully transfected with the Passport Reagent, including Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells, Human Epidermal Keratinocytes, Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells, HUVEC, and Human Dermal Fibroblasts.
There are a number of products for transfection of DNA/RNA currently on the market with much fewer products and companies with reagents for Protein delivery. These include Stratagene's BioTrek and Qbiogene's Penetratin.
The product is currently available from Cambrex at $295 (€241) for 400 micrograms.
