Potential-dependent membrane permeabilization and mitochondrial aggregation caused by anticancer polyarginine-KLA peptides

The anticancer activity of the polycationic peptide (KLAKLAK)2, as a possible mitochondria-damaging agent, named KLA (l-form) or kla (d-form), has been increased by the fusion with hepta-arginine cell delivery vectors r7 and R7 (peptides r7-kla and R7-KLA, respectively), as shown in the literature. We demonstrated that 3.6 μM r7-kla or R7-KLA, but not kla, caused significant permeabilization of the inner and the outer membranes of energized rat liver mitochondria. In addition, r7-kla or R7-KLA induced mitochondrial aggregation, thus causing the inhibition of metabolic activity. Potential-dependent mechanism of permeabilization of the inner mitochondrial membrane by these peptides was also observed for the plasma membrane of red blood cells. The obtained results suggest that polyarginine cell delivery vectors of anticancer polycationic peptides not only increase their direct potential-dependent permeabilization of biological membranes, but also create the capacity to cause aggregation of mitochondria, as a new mechanism of cytotoxic action of these peptides.