TAT Peptides

TAT peptides are being studied
in a variety of therapeutic applications

TAT peptides are a group of arginine rich cationic cell permeable peptides derived from the 86-residue HIV TAT (transactivator of transcription) protein.

TAT (48-60) was first reported to be readily internalized by cells and translocated to the nucleus in 1988. Owing to their cationic nature, TAT peptides are known to bind covalently or non-covalently to unprotected nucleic acids.

Today TAT peptides are being studied as transporters of oligonucleotides, peptides and proteins. They are also used in human clinical trials for therapeutic applications involving inflammation and pain, hearing loss, and heart disease.