PNC-27

Anticancer peptide PNC-27, Chimeric p53-penetratin peptide

A synthetic 32-amino acid peptide that selectively induces necrosis in cancer cells by binding to HDM-2 on their membranes and forming transmembrane pores.

Molecular Profile

Formula C₁₈₈H₂₉₃N₅₃O₄₄S

Mol. Weight 4031.72 g/mol

Sequence Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro...

Clinical Data Trials

Scientific Data Studies

Route	Dosage	Bioavailability
Intraperitoneal (IP, animal studies) 1.5-2 mg/day (mice, approx. 60-80 mg/kg)	1.5-2 mg/day (mice, approx. 60-80 mg/kg)	High (100%)	INT
Intravenous (IV) Variable (experimental, no standard human dosage)	Variable (experimental, no standard human dosage)	High (100%)	INT

How It Works

How It Works: PNC-27 is a membrane-active anticancer peptide that targets HDM-2 proteins expressed on cancer cell membranes, inducing pore formation and rapid necrosis while sparing normal cells due to lack of HDM-2 membrane expression.

Selective Binding: Binds to HDM-2 in the plasma membrane of cancer cells via its p53-derived domain.
Pore Formation: Forms transmembrane pores, disrupting membrane integrity and ion balance.
Cell Lysis: Leads to osmotic shock, cellular depolarization, and necrotic cell death independent of p53 status.
Mitochondrial Disruption: Enters cells and binds to mitochondrial membranes, causing further disruption.

Pairs Well With

Latest Studies

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Utility 3

pubmed May 22, 2024

Poptosis or Peptide-Induced Transmembrane Pore Formation: A Novel Way to Kill Cancer Cells without Affecting Normal Cells.

Pincus. Matthew R MR; Silberstein. Miriam M; Zohar. Nitzan N; Sarafraz-Yazdi. Eh...

Scientists have created a short protein fragment called PNC-27 that sticks to a cancer‑specific marker (HDM‑2) on the outside of tumor cells. When it binds, it builds tiny holes in the cell membrane, causing the cancer cell to burst while leaving normal cells unharmed. In mouse studies it shrank aggressive pancreatic tumors and leukemia without obvious side effects.

Utility 3

pubmed Sep 12, 2023

Ketone Bodies Induce Unique Inhibition of Tumor Cell Proliferation and Enhance the Efficacy of Anti-Cancer Agents.

Miller. Anna I AI; Diaz. David D; Lin. Bo B; Krzesaj. Patryk K PK; Ustoyev. Sara...

Lab studies show that ketone bodies—molecules your body makes on a keto diet—can slow the growth of several cancer cell types and make some anti‑cancer drugs, including the peptide PNC‑27, work better in the dish.

Utility 2

pubmed Apr 13, 2023

The role of ETFS amino acids on the stability and inhibition of p53-MDM2 complex of anticancer p53-derivatives peptides: Density functional theory and molecular docking studies.

Soriano-Correa. Catalina C; Vichi-Ramírez. Micheel Merari MM; Herrera-Valen...

Scientists used computer models to see how tiny protein pieces (peptides) called PNC‑27, PNC‑27B, PNC‑28A and PNC‑28B might block a cancer‑related interaction between the proteins p53 and MDM2. The calculations suggest that certain amino‑acid tweaks (especially adding E, T and S) make the peptides stick better to MDM2 and stay stable, which could help keep the natural tumor‑suppressor p53 active.

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