Peptidefused

Peptidefused is a term used to describe the approach of attaching short peptide sequences to a molecular carrier to impart new functions. The idea is to harness peptide properties—such as cell entry, receptor targeting, or condition-responsive behavior—to enhance the performance of the fused partner. Peptidefused constructs can be generated by genetic fusion, in which the coding sequence for a peptide is joined in frame with the gene for a protein or other cargo and expressed in living cells; or by chemical or enzymatic conjugation, where a peptide is linked post-translationally to the cargo using linkers or ligation enzymes.

Design and construction considerations are central to peptidefused systems. The choice of linker, its length and flexibility, and whether it is cleavable under specific conditions influence folding, stability, activity, and site-specificity of the fusion. Orientation and stoichiometry can affect binding and function, and potential immunogenicity must be evaluated for therapeutic or diagnostic uses. Site-specific fusion methods, including sortase-mediated ligation or recombinant fusion at defined termini, help reduce heterogeneity compared with random conjugation.

Peptide motifs commonly employed include cell-penetrating peptides for intracellular delivery, targeting peptides such as RGD for receptor engagement, and protease- or pH-cleavable linkers for controlled release. Applications span therapeutics, imaging, diagnostics, and biomaterials, where peptidefused constructs can improve targeting, uptake, or responsiveness. Challenges include manufacturing complexity, potential immunogenicity, regulatory considerations, and the need to balance stability with controlled release and activity.