Mimicking α-Helices for Modulating Protein Functions
Jung-Mo Ahn
Department of Chemistry
University of Texas at Dallas
Protein-protein interactions are one of the fundamental processes that regulate numerous key cellular pathways. Since they are often mediated by α-helical structures on protein surfaces, short helical peptides have been developed as a valuable research tool. However, peptides have drawbacks that severely compromise their effective in vivo use, such as rapid enzymatic degradation, poor bioavailability, and lack of membrane penetration.