This module is continuation of module 1 and the module mainly consists of specific tumor killer proteins which are expected to decrease cancer cell proliferation and to induce apoptosis. We have two specific apoptotic proteins called Apoptin and E4orf4. In our project plan, engineered bacteria secrete these proteins and these tumor killers penetrate into cancer cells to induce apoptosis within the cells. Through cancer cell penetration, cell penetrating peptides called TAT (Transactivating Transcription peptide) and MPG (designed cell penetrating peptide) have critical roles. Cell penetrating peptides fused with Apoptin and E4orf4 selectively kill tumor cells while normal cells remain undamaged. This point of view takes the advantage of synthetic biology and implies a new targeted therapeutic approach in future.
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