RWQWRWQWR-Ahx-RKKRRQRRR

RWQWRWQWR-Ahx-RKKRRQRRR is a synthetic hybrid peptide designed for anticancer activity, specifically targeting cervical cancer. It is a chimeric molecule consisting of a core palindromic sequence (RWQWRWQWR) derived from bovine lactoferricin (LfcinB) linked via a 6-aminohexanoic acid (Ahx) spacer to a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) sequence (RKKRRQRRR). The peptide's mechanism of action involves initial electrostatic interactions between its cationic arginine and lysine residues and the negatively charged components of the cancer cell surface (such as glycoproteins and phospholipids). This is followed by the interaction of tryptophan residues with the lipid bilayer, leading to membrane disruption or peptide internalization to induce rapid cell death. Developed by researchers in Colombia, this hybrid peptide has demonstrated significant in vitro cytotoxic potency against HeLa and Ca Ski cervical cancer cell lines while maintaining a favorable selectivity index relative to red blood cells and fibroblasts.

Other names

RWQWRWQWR-Ahx-RKKRRQRRR hybrid peptide