[Transduction peptides: structural-functional analyses in model membranes].

Peptide-membrane interaction is the first step required for peptide cell internalization. In this paper we studied the interactions of substance P, Penetratin and an amphiphilic 16mer (RL16) peptide in two different model membranes, giant unilamellar vesicles and large unilamellar vesicles. Penetratin was able to induce the formation of tubes inside the giant vesicles without changes in membrane permeability. On the contrary, RL16 induced the disruption of giant vesicles and the permeabilization of large vesicles. Substance P showed none of these effects.