β-Homolysine Oligomers: A New Class of Trojan Carriers

We describe the design, synthesis and cell-membrane translocation properties of a series of β-peptides with the general sequence fluorescein-Adoa-(β-homolysine)n-NH2, n=5–8 and Adoa=8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid. These β-peptides are able to cross the cytoplasmic membrane and accumulate in the nucleus of mammalian cells.