The group of Shiro FUTAKI at Kyoto University’s Chemical Research Institute has modified a spider venom peptide – hemolytic peptide M lycotoxin – which destabilizes cell membranes such as to allow endocytosis of antibodies. The mutant M-lycotoxin L17E does not destroy the cell but opens pores by which antibodies can enter the target cell without endocytosis.
JST news release, May 26, 2017
Kyoto University group develops novel uptake mechanism for antibodies