Small acidic peptides and peptidomimetic molecules: cell growth and differentiation.

Small phosphorylated chromatin peptides exert a homeostatic regulation on gene expression which causes a strong inhibition of RNA synthesis and growth of neoplastic and fast-growing cells and a remarkable activation of metabolic pathways slowed down in ageing. By biochemical and mass spectrometry analysis, some molecular models of these peptides have been designed and synthesised. Recent studies show that it is possible to find peptidomimetic structures, such as citric acid, able to reproduce the antiproliferative effect. The mechanism of action has been investigated and partially clarified.