Fluorescently Labeled Differentiating Myelopeptide-4: Specific Binding to and Penetration into Target Cells

S. A. Gur’yanov^#, E. A. Kirilina, S. V. Khaidukov, N. I. Suvorov, I. M. Molotkovskaya, and A. A. Mikhailova

^#Phone: (095) 330-72-56; fax: (095) 330-72-10; e-mail: stas@ibch.ru
Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia
Received: December 9, 2005; in final form: June 7, 2006 

Abstract: Myelopeptide-4 (MP-4) (Phe-Arg-Pro-Arg-Ile-Met-Thr-Pro), inducing the terminal differentiation of HL-60 leukemia cells, was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. The specific binding of this modified peptide to the surface of HL-60 cells and its ability to penetrate into the cells were studied. It was shown by cytometry and confocal microscopy to be bound on the HL-60 cell surface, to penetrate into their cytoplasm, and finally to concentrate around the cell nucleus. These phenomena are probably necessary for the exhibition of MP-4 differentiating activity.

Key words: myelopeptide-4, cellular differentiation, myeloblastic leucosis

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry 2006, 32 (6): 517-520