PNC-27
p53-derived anti-cancer peptide
Tumor-targeting peptide.
Half-life
~ short
Mol. weight
4031.7 g/mol (C188H293N53O44S)
Sequence
p53 residues 12-26 (HDM2-binding domain) + penetratin membrane-leader sequence
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Overview
A peptide derived from the p53 tumor-suppressor protein that selectively induces death in cancer cells while sparing normal cells, by exploiting a protein (HDM2) present on cancer-cell membranes but not normal cells. Its membrane-targeting selectivity is the appeal — a strategy aimed at killing tumor cells without the broad toxicity of conventional chemotherapy.
Mechanism of action
PNC-27 binds HDM2 (the p53-regulating protein, also written MDM2) when it is present on the membrane of cancer cells, forming transmembrane pores that selectively kill the tumor cell. Normal cells, which lack the membrane-bound HDM2 target, are spared. This membrane-targeted mechanism is conceptually distinct from cytotoxic chemo (which poisons dividing cells indiscriminately) and from immune-checkpoint approaches — it's a direct, selective physical attack on the tumor membrane.
Researched benefits
- Selective cancer-cell killing in models
- Spares normal cells via membrane-target specificity
- Novel membrane-targeting mechanism (distinct from chemo/immunotherapy)
Considerations
- Very early-stage research
- No human clinical validation
- Strictly research context
Key Academic Literature & Studies
Search more in PubMedPeer-reviewed citations and clinical trials evaluating PNC-27 in scientific literature.
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View PNC-27 index on PubMed (NCBI)